Methods and systems for sleep management

ABSTRACT

A processing system includes methods to promote sleep. The system may include a monitor such as a non-contact motion sensor from which sleep information may be determined. User sleep information, such as sleep stages, hypnograms, sleep scores, mind recharge scores and body scores, may be recorded, evaluated and/or displayed for a user. The system may further monitor ambient and/or environmental conditions corresponding to sleep sessions. Sleep advice may be generated based on the sleep information, user queries and/or environmental conditions from one or more sleep sessions. Communicated sleep advice may include content to promote good sleep habits and/or detect risky sleep conditions. In some versions of the system, any one or more of a bedside unit  3000  sensor module, a smart processing device, such as a smart phone or smart device  3002 , and network servers may be implemented to perform the methodologies of the system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of AustraliaProvisional Patent Application No. AU 2013902516 filed Jul. 8, 2013,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/018,289, filed on Jun. 27,2014, and U.S. Design patent application No. 29/490,436, filed on May 9,2014, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to systems and methods for sleepmanagement and, may concern systems and methods for assisting a user tofall asleep.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Poor sleep is a significant issue globally and impacts up to 60% of theadult population. The insufficient rest leads to underperformance at thework place. A tired person is also more likely to cause an accident,both in and outside of the workplace.

Sleep can be characterized by four distinct stages (phases) which changethroughout the night. Sleepers move between the states, usually in anorder.

There are typically several cycles of states (three to five a night)moving from NREM Stages 1 through 3 to REM, and then repeating. Eachcycle lasts about 90-110 minutes. As it would be discussed later in thetext, REM stage may be characterised by the so called Rapid Eye Movementof the user.

Stages 1-3 are known as non-REM (NREM) or quiet sleep. The new AmericanAcademy of Sleep Medicine guidelines groups NREM into three stages: N1,N2, and N3 (Iber et al. 2007). Usually a sleeper ascends from deep sleepbriefly to light sleep before going into REM. These stages may beunderstood as follows:

Stage 1 (“N1”):

-   -   Transition between being awake and being asleep.    -   You lose awareness of your surroundings (feels like drowsiness        when you are not completely awake), and can be easily woken from        this state.    -   May experience generalized or localized muscle contraction        associated with vivid visual imagery.    -   Sleep onset usually lasts 5-10 minutes.

Stage 2 (“N2”):

-   -   Sleeping, but not particularly deeply (easy to wake from this        stage).    -   Usually lasts 10-25 minutes at a time.    -   Typically, you spend about half the night sleeping in this        state.    -   Your heart rate, breathing, and brain activity slows down in        this sleep stage and your body completely relaxes

Stages 3 (“N3”)—SWS, formerly known as stages 3&4 (Iber et al. 2007):

-   -   Deep, slow wave sleep (SWS). This is believed to be the time        where your body renews and repairs itself.    -   After falling asleep it might take up to half an hour to reach        this deepest part of your sleep. It takes far more effort to        wake you up.    -   Your breathing becomes more regular, blood pressure falls, and        pulse rate slows.    -   The amount of deep sleep varies with age (Dijk 2010).        -   As you get older there is a decrease in deep sleep (and            increase in lighter sleep).        -   You tend to sleep for a shorter length of time as you age.            Therefore, you are more likely to wake up during the night            as you get older (i.e., you are in light sleep for longer,            from which you can more easily be disturbed by noise,            movement of a bed partner, discomfort etc.). This is normal,            and most older adults continue to enjoy their sleep.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM):

-   -   Your eyes move beneath closed lids, and you have most of your        dreams. Your mind races, while your body is virtually paralyzed.    -   It is believed this stage facilitates learning and memory.    -   If you wake from this state, you tend to remember that you were        dreaming. This can happen particularly as REM is followed by        light sleep (i.e., starting a new cycle).    -   The first period of REM may only last 5 minutes or so, but        progressively lasts longer over the course of a night, with the        last period being up to 30 mins long.    -   REM sleep dominates in the final third of the night.    -   There are more changes in breathing pattern in REM as compared        to slow wave sleep.

Healthy Sleep

Healthy sleep is essential to a healthy life. Insufficient sleep for anextended period of time increases your risk for diabetes, obesity,depression, high blood pressure and even stroke.

Most healthy adults require 7-9 hours of sleep, with expertsrecommending 8 hours. Some people require only 6 hours, but others mayrequire 10 hours of quality sleep. A University of California study from2009 suggests that genetically some people can get by on 6 hourssleep—but this only applies to 3% of the population (O'Brien 2009). Mostpeople experience difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep at somepoint in their lives, particularly during times of stress or change. Itis normal to have about 5% wakefulness during the night. All stages ofsleep are important. However, a balance of deep, light and REM sleep isneeded to feel at our best in the morning (Epstein & Mardon 2006).

A graph of sleep stages is referred to as a hypnogram (sometimes called‘sleep architecture’ as the outline looks like the silhouette of a cityskyline).

“Sleep Efficiency” provides a metric of how well a person has slept.This may be understood as working out the percentage of time spent inbed asleep each night. If a person spends 8 hours in bed, but only 4 ofthose hours are spent asleep, then the sleep efficiency may be very lowat 50%. Sleep efficiency is based on the assumption that people go tobed in order to sleep.

Impacts on Sleep

A large number of publications have been dedicated to issues associatedwith sleep. Lack of sleep can affect important things like your personalrelationships, productivity, and your overall mood. Lack of sleep canmake people obese, and lead to health complications such as diabetes(Ostrow 2012; Patel 2006). If deep sleep is restricted, a person maywake up un-refreshed—no matter how long they have been in bed. It isbelieved that if you are sleep deprived, you tend to pass through lightsleep rapidly to deep sleep, and spend more time in restorative deepsleep. If sleep is undisturbed after being deprived of REM sleep, aperson will tend to enter REM earlier (and stay in this state forlonger).

The literature notes that exercise is the only known way for an adult toincrease the amount of deep sleep they get (Epstein & Mardon 2006).

Alcohol can make you drowsy and help you fall asleep, but suppresses REMsleep and is metabolised after a few hours so you may have morewakefulness.

It is thought that you can reach a point of severe tiredness where youno longer feel tired (but your decision making can be impaired). It maybe possible to operate in this state, but your overall health could beaffected.

Buysse et al. (2010) in “Can an improvement in sleep positively impacton health?”, Sleep Medicine Reviews 14, notes; “Reports from a largenumber of studies document significant associations between sleepduration and various health problems such as cardiovascular events, riskof stroke, incident artery calcification, changes in inflammatorymarkers and many more.” . . . “There is a need for more detailedinvestigation into long-term outcomes and the potential for causality.”

Åkerstedt et al. (2007) in “Sleep and sleepiness in relation to stressand displaced work hours”, Physiology & Behavior 92 notes: “Sleep is animportant factor in relation to accidents, long-term health andmortality.” . . . “We have also looked at the concept of sleep qualityand found it dependent on sleep duration, sleep continuity and contentof sleep stages 3 and 4. Sleep is also clearly disturbed in people onlong-term sick leave for burnout or in individuals with high burnoutscores, in particular sleep fragmentation is increased and sleepefficiency and sleep stages 3 and 4 (SWS—deep sleep) decreased.”

Dijk (2010), “Slow-wave sleep deficiency and enhancement: Implicationsfor insomnia and its management”, The World Journal of BiologicalPsychiatry; 11(S1) notes: “An age-related decline in SWS and SWA(slow-wave activity) is well established. In some studies, apprehension,depression and insomnia have been associated with reductions in SWS andSWA. Experimental reductions of SWS through SWS deprivation (withoutaltering total sleep time or REM duration) have been reported to lead toan increase in daytime sleep propensity and reductions in performance.SWS and SWA are therefore thought to contribute to the recoveryprocesses that occur during sleep.”

Various methods of improving users sleep include physical exercise,breathing exercises and optimising the user's ambient conditions such asmusic, light, temperature etc. For example, the following approach maybe taken to improve sleep:

-   -   1. Avoid caffeine at least four hours before bedtime as it can        remain in the body for many hours.    -   2. Avoid smoking (or chewing tobacco) before bedtime and/or if        you wake up during the night.    -   3. Avoid alcohol around bedtime; it may help you get to sleep,        but it can also wake you up later in the night and disrupt REM        sleep.    -   4. A light snack at bedtime may promote sleep—but avoid heavy        meals. Foods containing high levels of tryptophan such as nuts,        bananas, dairy, green leafy veg, eggs and soya products will        promote good sleep.    -   5. Avoid vigorous exercise within two or so hours of bedtime        (this may be subject dependent).    -   6. Keep your bedroom calm and comfortable, and at a comfortable        temperature (e.g., between 65 deg F. and 75 deg F.).    -   7. Minimize noise and light in the bedroom; take advantage of        light during the day—it will help regulate your body clock.        Excessive light before bed may impact melatonin production.    -   8. Keep your bedroom mainly for sleeping and sex; try to avoid        watching television, using your tablet or smartphone, listening        to the radio, or eating in your bedroom.

A Regular Sleep Schedule

Normally, people should try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Forinstance, if a person stays up late on Friday, sleeps late on Saturday,they are set up to sleep even later on Saturday night. This can giverise to ‘Sunday night insomnia’

In practice, this means trying to get up at the same time every day,even after a late night party. It also suggests that “sleeping in” atthe weekend to make up sleep debt (Webster 2008) from the week may notbe completely effective—especially if encountering ‘Sunday nightinsomnia’

Insomnia

Insomnia means that the sleep problem is chronic (persisting for atleast a month), and interferes with your day-to-day activities, perhapsthrough fatigue, irritability, or just a persistent feeling of beingfed-up with things.

There are four main insomnia symptoms:

-   -   Problems getting to sleep    -   Problems staying asleep    -   Waking up too early in the morning (and unable to get back to        sleep)    -   Not feeling refreshed in the morning

Sleep deprivation can lead to:

-   -   Poor immune system    -   High blood pressure    -   Greater incidence of traffic and workplace accidents.

Sleep Disordered Breathing

The term sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) can refer to conditions whereapnoeas (e.g., cessation of airflow for ten seconds or more) andhypopnoeas (e.g., decrease in airflow that is at least 30% for 10seconds or more with an associated oxygen desaturation or arousal) arepresent during sleep. It is estimated that one in every five adults hasSDB (Young et al. 2002).

A variety of monitoring and sleep improvement products have been (orare) on the market, including wearable devices such as wristwatches,armbands, head mounted devices, and non-contact products. Examples ofthese are the following brands: Sleeptracker watch (monitors sleepstages throughout the night and uses that data to determine the exactmoment when a person should be awoken helping the person feel refreshedand energetic), Lark (provides sleep assessment and coaching), Larklife(a product similar to Lark, but in the form of a wristband), Jawbone Up(wristband, tracks hours slept, light and deep sleep, time ofawakening), Nike Fuelband (wristband, activity and sleep tracker),Bodymedia (armband, tracks duration and quality of sleep), Zeo (HeadbandSleep Management System allows for creating a chart of the quality ofthe user's sleep patterns and provides a daily personalised assessmentand expert advice), Omron Sleepdesign (wireless, a full picture of sleephealth is provided, alongside a customized summary of health tips andadvice), Gear 4 Renew Sleepclock (similar to Omron's Sleepdesign,+optimised wakeup).

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A system and a method of the present technology may detect sleep andprovide feedback to a user concerning sleep.

Some versions of the technology may optionally include a device with anyone or more of the following features:

-   -   It may sit by the user's bedside and unobtrusively record and        analyze the user's sleep environment (light, sound and        temperature, as well as humidity and/or air quality)    -   It may monitor and analyze the user's sleeping, breathing and        heart rate patterns (sleep and cardiorespiratory patterns)    -   It may actively assist the user to get to sleep and stay asleep,        by way of generating calming sounds to help adjust the user's        breathing and ease the user to sleep. It may intelligently        detect sleep conditions and gently switch off the sounds, after        the user falls asleep.    -   It may chart the user's sleep patterns and send personalized        recommendations via text or email to help improve the user's        sleep. These customised advice “nuggets” are designed to help        the person sleep better and may be based on clinical research.    -   It may provide expert advice articles and access to moderated        forums.    -   It may communicate with the user's Smartphone to use its        processing power for various levels of data processing, as well        as to deliver the information to the user.

Examples of the technology may help users achieve noticeably bettersleep by providing a system of sleep management. Some of the includedfeatures may include: recording of sleep patterns and bedroomenvironment; offering personalized recommendations to help improve theuser's sleep environment and habits; offering personalizedrecommendations with regards to the user's day and evening routines witha customized personal advice program to help set the user up for bettersleep; offering specific recommendations to the user in order to allowthe user to relax more easily and fall asleep; waking up the user in away that allows the user to feel more refreshed and/or connecting theuser to resources should the user need further help.

In some of its more specific aspects, the proposed technology helps theuser relax by tracking user's breathing (also respiration) rate andguiding the user to reduce their breathing rate. Such an encouragementhelps the user to slow their breathing, fall asleep faster and betterrecover from the stresses of the day. A ‘Mind Clear’ feature helps theuser to clear their mind of thoughts that might otherwise keep the userawake. The system can record the user's sleep, breathing and heart ratepatterns using a bio motion sensor, thus allowing a review of the user'slevel of physical (generally associated with the amount of deep sleep) &mental (generally associated with the amount of REM sleep) recharge.This can be then visualised by a simple number or by a chart plot on thescreen of a PC or a smart device, such as a phone or a tablet. Thesystem and method measure environmental parameters of the bedroom usingsensors such as light, sound, temperature, humidity and/or air quality.The proposed system and method also deliver customised personal adviceto help improve the user's sleep based on personal sleep data, trendeddata, de-identified population data, bedroom environment data andexternal environmental data.

An overall sleep management system and method is proposed that canassist in monitoring and improving the user's sleep.

Some versions of the present technology may be implemented as medicaldevices used in the diagnosis, amelioration, treatment, and/orprevention of sleep and/or respiratory disorders and may have one ormore of improved comfort, cost, efficacy, ease of use andmanufacturability.

Some versions of the present technology may include an apparatus forinducing relaxation in a user. The apparatus may include a speaker toplay a sound of a sound file; and a processor coupled with the speaker.The processor may be configured to repeatedly play the sound filethrough the speaker and to repeatedly adjust a period of the sound file.The sound file may include an exhalation cue portion and an inhalationcue portion. The exhalation cue portion and the inhalation cue portionmay be in a fixed ratio throughout repeated playing and repeatedadjustment of the sound file. A ratio of the exhalation cue to theinhalation cue may be about 1 to 1.4. In some cases, the repeatedplaying and the repeated adjustment of the sound file may compriseinitially playing the sound file with the sound file set to a first timelength for a first period of playing time and thereafter increasing thefirst time length of the file to a second longer time length andrepeatedly playing the sound file with the second longer time length fora second period of playing time.

The apparatus may be configured to repeatedly play and repeatedly adjustthe sound file until the adjustment of the period of the sound filemeets a threshold. The threshold may comprise a repetition per minuteminimum threshold. The processor may be further configured to graduallyreduce volume of the played sound file through the speaker during afurther period of time, after the adjustment of the period of the soundfile meets the threshold.

The apparatus may further include a movement sensor and the processormay be further configured to determine a measure of respiration with themovement sensor, and/or to set the period of the sound file as afunction of the determined measure of respiration.

In some cases, the processor may set a period of the sound file as afunction of the measure of respiration once only, before initiating therepeated adjusting of the period of the sound file; and/or the repeatedadjusting of the period of the sound file may include an adjustment ofthe period of the sound file by a fixed predetermined change.

Optionally, the processor may be further configured to determine ameasure of sleep or wake of the user, with the movement sensor. Theprocessor may be further configured to gradually reduce volume of theplayed sound file through the speaker during a further first period oftime, if sleep is detected, and either delay a gradual reduction involume or gradually reduce volume of the played sound file through thespeaker during a further second period of time, if awake is detected,the further second period of time being different from the further firstperiod.

In some cases, each adjustment of the period of the sound file maysubstantially maintain pitch of any sounds of the sound file.

Some versions of the present technology may include a method of aprocessor for an apparatus for inducing relaxation in a user. The methodmay include with a processor, repeatedly playing a sound file through aspeaker and repeatedly adjusting a period of the sound file. The soundfile may include an exhalation cue portion and an inhalation cueportion, the exhalation cue portion and the inhalation cue portion beingin a fixed ratio throughout repeated playing and repeated adjustment ofthe sound file. The ratio of the exhalation cue to the inhalation cuemay be about 1 to 1.4. The repeated playing and the repeated adjustingof the sound file may comprise initially playing the sound file with thesound file set to a first time length for a first period of playing timeand thereafter increasing the first time length of the file to a secondlonger time length and repeatedly playing the sound file with the secondlonger time length for a second period of playing time. The processormay repeatedly play and repeatedly adjust the sound file until theadjustment of the period of the sound file meets a threshold. Thethreshold comprises a repetition per minute minimum threshold. Theprocessor may gradually reduce volume of the played sound file throughthe speaker during a further period of time after the adjustment of theperiod of the sound file meets the threshold. The processor maydetermine a measure of respiration with a movement sensor, and theprocessor may set a period of the sound file as a function of thedetermined measure of respiration. Optionally, the processor may set aperiod of the sound file as a function of the measure of respirationonce only, before initiating the repeated adjusting of the period of thesound file and wherein the repeated adjusting of the period of the soundfile comprises an adjustment of the period of the sound file by a fixedpredetermined change.

In some cases, the processor may determine a measure of sleep or wake ofthe user with a movement sensor, and the processor may gradually reducevolume of the played sound file through the speaker during a furtherfirst period of time, if sleep is detected; and either gradually reducevolume of the played sound file through the speaker during a furthersecond period of time, the further second period being different fromthe further first period, or delays a gradual reduction in volume, ifawake is detected. Optionally, in some/any cases each adjustment of theperiod of the sound file may maintain pitch of any sounds of the soundfile.

Some versions of the present technology may include an apparatus topromote sleep of a user. The apparatus may include a microphone to sensevoice of the user. It may include a processor coupled with themicrophone and configured to receive signals generated by a sensor andindicative of motion of a user. The processor may be further configuredto analyze the received signals and detect sleep information from thesignals, and, upon receiving an activation signal, to record a voicesound message of the user and store data of the voice sound message in amemory coupled to the processor, whereby a user may record thoughts soas to clear a mind of the user and promote sleep.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to play therecorded voice sound message with a speaker of the apparatus. Theprocessor may be further configured to control a conversion of the voicesound message to a text message and store it as data in the memory. Theprocessor may be configured to initiate transfer of the text message tothe user. The transfer may comprise an SMS or an email communication. Insome cases, the activation signal comprises a voice activation signal,whereby the processor, with the microphone, detects a voice command ofthe user to initiate a voice recording process.

Some versions of the present technology may include a method of aprocessor for promoting sleep of a user. The method may involve with aprocessor, analyzing signals from a motion sensor to detect sleepinformation from the signals. The method may involve with the processor,upon receiving an activation signal, recording by a microphone a voicesound message of the user and storing data of the voice sound message ina memory coupled to the processor. The method may permit a user torecord thoughts so as to clear a mind of the user and promote sleep. Themethod may involve playing, with the processor, the recorded voice soundmessage through a speaker. The method may involve with a processorcontrolling a conversion of the voice sound message to a text messageand storing it as data in the memory. The method may involve with aprocessor initiating a transfer of the text message to the user. Thetransfer may be an SMS or an email communication, for example. In somecases of the method the activation signal may comprise a voiceactivation signal, whereby the processor detects, with a microphone, avoice command of the user to initiate a voice recording process.

Some versions of the present technology include an apparatus to promotesleep of a user. The apparatus may include an alarm device to generatean alarm to wake user. The apparatus may include a processor configuredto prompt a user to input a wake-up time and a wake-up time window, thewake-up time window ending with the wake-up time. The processor of theapparatus may be configured to receive signals from a motion sensor, thesignals being indicative of motion of the user. The processor of theapparatus may be configured to detect sleep information with an analysisof the received signals indicative of motion. The processor of theapparatus may be configured to trigger activation of the alarm device asa function of the sleep information and a function of the wake-up windowand the wake-up time, wherein the function of the sleep information andthe function of the wake-up window and the wake-up time comprisedetecting the user being in a light sleep stage during the wake-upwindow.

In some cases, the function of the sleep information may furthercomprise presence in a light sleep stage for at least a certain lengthof time or number of epochs. The function of the sleep information mayfurther comprise satisfying a minimum amount of total sleep time.Optionally, the processor may be further configured to triggeractivation of the alarm device with a probability function configured torandomize activation of the alarm. The processor may be furtherconfigured to trigger activation of the alarm device upon detection ofabsence of the user during the wake-up window. The processor may befurther configured to trigger activation of the alarm device upondetection of an awake state of the user during the wake-up window. Thealarm device may be configured to generate any one or more of an audiblesound alarm and a visible light alarm. The function of the wake-upwindow and the wake-up time may comprise a plurality of comparisons ofcurrent time with the wake-up window and the wake-up time to ensuretriggering of the alarm within the wake-up window and by the wake-uptime.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a method ofprocessor to promote sleep of a user. The method may involve with aprocessor coupled, e.g., wirelessly, with a motion sensor prompting auser to input a wake-up time and a wake-up time window, the wake-up timewindow ending with the wake-up time. The method may involve with theprocessor receiving signals from a motion sensor, the signals beingindicative of motion of the user. The method may involve with theprocessor detecting sleep information with an analysis of the signalsindicative of motion. The method may involve with the processortriggering activation of an alarm device as a function of the sleepinformation and a function of the wake-up window and the wake-up time.The function of the sleep information and the function of the wake-upwindow and the wake-up time may comprise detecting the user being in alight sleep stage during the wake-up window.

In some cases, the function of the sleep information may furthercomprise presence in a light sleep stage for at least a certain lengthof time. The function of the sleep information further may comprisesatisfying a minimum amount of total sleep time. The method may involvethe processor triggering activation of the alarm device with aprobability function that randomizes activation of the alarm. Theprocessor may evaluate whether to trigger activation of the alarm devicewith detection of absence of a user during the wake-up window. Theprocessor may evaluate whether to trigger activation of the alarm devicewith detection of an awake state of the user during the wake-up window.The alarm device may generate any one or more of an audible sound alarmand a visible light alarm. Optionally, the function of the wake-upwindow and the wake-up time may involve a plurality of comparisons ofcurrent time with the wake-up window and the wake-up time to ensuretriggering of the alarm within the wake-up window and by the wake-uptime.

Some versions of the present technology may include an apparatus topromote a user's sleep. The apparatus may include a processor adapted toaccess measured data representing user movement detected by a movementsensor. The processor may be configured to process the measured data anddetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data.The processor may be further configured to generate one or moreindicators including a sleep score indicator, mind recharge indicatorand body recharge indicator based on the determined sleep factors. Theapparatus may include a display for displaying the one or moreindicators. The processor may be configured to control the display ofthe sleep score and wherein the sleep factors from which the sleep scoreis based may be include two or more of total sleep time, deep sleeptime, REM sleep time and light sleep time, wake after sleep onset timeand sleep onset time. In some cases, the features may include timedomain statistics and/or frequency domain statistics.

Optionally, the sleep score may include a total having a plurality ofcomponent values, each component value determined with a function of ameasured sleep factor and a predetermined normative value for the sleepfactor. The function may include a weighting variable varying between 0and 1 and wherein the weighting is multiplied by the predeterminednormative value. The function of at least one sleep factor fordetermining a component value may be an increasing function of themeasured sleep factor such as when the at least one sleep factor is oneof total sleep time, deep sleep time, REM sleep time and light sleeptime. In some cases, the function of at least one sleep factor fordetermining a component value may be an initially increasing andsubsequently decreasing function of the measured sleep factor, such aswhen the at least one sleep factor is REM sleep time. The function of atleast one sleep factor for determining a component value may be adecreasing function of the measured sleep factor, such as, when the atleast one sleep factor is one of sleep onset time and wake after sleeponset time.

Optionally, the display of the sleep score may include displaying asleep score total. The display of the sleep score may include displayinga graphic pie chart, the graphic pie chart divided about its peripheryinto segments, each segment size about the periphery being attributed toa predetermined normative value for each sleep factor, each segmentbeing filled radially in accordance with a function of a respectivemeasured sleep factor and the predetermined normative value for therespective sleep factor. Optionally, in some cases, a predeterminednormative value for total sleep time is 40, a predetermined normativevalue for deep sleep time is 20, a predetermined normative value for REMsleep time is 20, a predetermined normative value for light sleep timeis 5, a predetermined normative value for wake after sleep onset time is10 and/or a predetermined normative value for sleep onset is 5.

In some cases, the processor may be further configured to accessdetected ambient parameters including ambient light and or sound, toadjust settings of the apparatus during at least some operations of theapparatus, the adjusted settings comprising screen brightness and/orsound volume. The processor may control a display of the mind rechargeindicator, the mind recharge indicator being based on REM sleep time.The mind recharge indicator may include a function of a REM sleep factorand a predetermined normative value for the REM sleep factor. Thefunction of the REM sleep factor and a predetermined normative value forthe sleep factor may include an increasing and decreasing function ofREM sleep time.

In some cases, the mind recharge indicator may be displayed as a graphicindicator relating measured REM sleep time to a normative REM sleep timeas a percentage, the graphic indicator having an appearance of asegmented battery proportionally filled according to the percentage. Theprocessor may be control a display of the body recharge indicator andthe body recharge indicator may be based on deep sleep time. Optionally,the body recharge indicator may include a function of a deep sleepfactor and a predetermined normative value for the deep sleep factor.The function of the deep sleep factor and a predetermined normativevalue for the deep sleep factor may include an increasing function ofdeep sleep time. The body recharge indicator may be displayed as agraphic indicator relating measured deep sleep time to predeterminednormative deep sleep time as a percentage, the graphic indicator havingan appearance of a segmented battery proportionally filled according tothe percentage.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a method to promotesleep with a processor adapted to access measured data representing usermovement detected by a movement sensor. The method may involveprocessing the measured data and determining sleep factors with featuresderived from the measured data. The method may involve generating one ormore indicators including a sleep score indicator, mind rechargeindicator and body recharge indicator based on the determined sleepfactors. The method may involve controlling a display of the one or moreindicators.

The display may include the sleep score and wherein the sleep factorsfrom which the sleep score is based include two or more of total sleeptime, deep sleep time, REM sleep time and light sleep time, wake aftersleep onset time and sleep onset time. Optionally, the features mayinclude time domain statistics and frequency domain statistics. Thesleep score may include a total having a plurality of component values,each component value determined with a function of a sleep factor and apredetermined normative value for the sleep factor. The function mayinclude a weighting variable varying between 0 and 1 and wherein theweighting is multiplied by the predetermined normative value. Thefunction of at least one sleep factor for determining a component valuemay be an increasing function, such as when the at least one sleepfactor is one of total sleep time, deep sleep time, REM sleep time andlight sleep time. The function of at least one sleep factor fordetermining a component value may be an increasing and decreasingfunction, such as when the at least one sleep factor is REM sleep time.The function of at least one sleep factor for determining a componentvalue may be a decreasing function, such as when

The at least one sleep factor is one of sleep onset time and wake aftersleep onset time.

The method may involve displaying the sleep score that includes a sleepscore total. The displayed sleep score may involve displaying a graphicpie chart, the graphic pie chart divided about its periphery intosegments, each segment size about the periphery being attributed to apredetermined normative value for each sleep factor, each segment beingfilled radially in accordance with a function of each sleep factor andthe predetermined normative value for the sleep factor. Optionally, insome cases a predetermined normative value for total sleep time is 40, apredetermined normative value for deep sleep time is 20, a predeterminednormative value for REM sleep time is 20, a predetermined normativevalue for light sleep time is 5, a predetermined normative value forwake after sleep onset time is 10 and/or a predetermined normative valuefor sleep onset is 5.

The method may involve a display including the mind recharge indicatorwhere the mind recharge indicator may be based on measured REM sleeptime. The mind recharge indicator may be determined as a function of ameasured REM sleep factor and a predetermined normative value for theREM sleep factor. The function of the REM sleep factor and apredetermined normative value for the sleep factor may include aninitially increasing and subsequently decreasing function of themeasured the measured REM sleep time. The mind recharge indicator may bea graphic indicator relating measured REM sleep time to a normative REMsleep time as a percentage. The graphic indicator optionally may have anappearance of a segmented battery proportionally filled according to thepercentage.

The display may include the body recharge indicator, the body rechargeindicator optionally being based on measured deep sleep time. The bodyrecharge indicator may be determined as a function of a measured deepsleep factor and a predetermined normative value for the deep sleepfactor. The function of the deep sleep factor and a predeterminednormative value for the deep sleep factor may include an increasingfunction of deep sleep time. The body recharge indicator may be agraphic indicator relating measured deep sleep time to predeterminednormative deep sleep time as a percentage. The graphic indicator mayhave an appearance of a segmented battery proportionally filledaccording to the percentage.

Some versions of the present technology may involve an apparatus topromote sleep with one or more processors. The one or more processorsmay be configured to access measured data representing user movementdetected by a movement sensor. The one or more processors may beconfigured to process the measured data and determine sleep factors withfeatures derived from the measured data. The one or more processors maybe configured to access detected environmental condition data from oneor more environmental sensors. The one or more processors may beconfigured to generate and display a sleep hypnogram. The sleephypnogram may plot sleep stages over time for a sleep session. The sleephypnogram may further include at least one detected environmentalcondition plotted in temporal association with a sleep stage or atransition between sleep stages. The detected environmental conditionmay include any one of a light event, a sound event and a temperatureevent. The detected environmental condition may include an event thatcorresponds to a detected sleep disturbance. The detected sleepdisturbance may include a wake after sleep onset period. The apparatusmay further include the movement sensor and/or the one or moreenvironmental sensors, the sensor(s) coupled, such as wirelessly, withthe processor to transfer data representing detected signals from thesensor(s) to the processor.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a method of aprocessor for promoting sleep. The method may involve receiving, from amovement sensor, measured data representing user movement. The methodmay involve processing the measured data and determining sleep factorswith features derived from the measured data. The method may involveaccessing detected environmental condition data from one or moreenvironmental sensors. The method may involve generating a sleephypnogram, the sleep hypnogram plotting sleep stages over time for asleep session. The method may involve controlling a display to presentthe sleep hypnogram.

Optionally, the method may involve presenting information of thedetected environmental condition in temporal association with a sleepstage in the hypnogram. The detected environmental condition may includeany one of a light event, a sound event and a temperature event. Thedetected environmental condition may include an event that correspondsto a detected sleep disturbance. The detected sleep disturbance mayinclude a wake after sleep onset period. The method may further involvedetecting the user movement with the movement sensor and/or detectingthe environmental condition with the one or more environmental sensors.

Some versions of the present technology may involve an apparatus topromote sleep. The apparatus may include a display. The apparatus mayinclude a processor coupled with the display. The processor may beconfigured to access measured data representing user movement detectedby a movement sensor. The processor may be configured to process themeasured data and determine sleep factors with features derived from themeasured data. The processor may be further configured to prompt forinput of user parameters comprising one or more of daily caffeineconsumption, daily alcohol consumption, daily stress level and dailyexercise amount. The processor may be further configured to display atemporal correlation for a plurality of sleep sessions between one ormore determined sleep factors and one or more of the input userparameters. In some cases, the processor may be configured to prompt theuser to select the one or more sleep factors and the one or more inputuser parameters for the display. Optionally, one of the determined sleepfactor may include a total sleep time for a sleep session. In somecases, the processor may be further configured to display a temporalcorrelation for a plurality of sleep sessions between one or moredetermined sleep factors and environmental data representing one or moreambient sleep conditions including ambient sound level, ambient lightlevel, ambient temperature level, ambient air pollution level andweather conditions at a location of the user. The processor may befurther configured to access weather data based on detecting a locationof the apparatus. In some versions, the apparatus may be furtherconfigured to generate the temporal correlation for a plurality of sleepsessions between one or more determined sleep factors, one or more inputuser parameters and one or more ambient sleep conditions, includingambient sound level, ambient light level, ambient temperature level,ambient air pollution level and weather conditions at a location of theuser.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a method of aprocessor to promote sleep. The method may involve with a processoraccessing measured data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor. The method may involve with the processor processingthe measured data to determine sleep factors with features derived fromthe measured data. The method may involve with the processor promptingfor input of user parameters comprising one or more of daily caffeineconsumption, daily alcohol consumption, daily stress level and dailyexercise amount. The method may involve with the processor displaying ona display a temporal correlation for a plurality of sleep sessionsbetween one or more determined sleep factors and one or more of theinput user parameters.

Optionally, the method may involve with the processor prompting the userto select the one or more input user parameters for displaying of thetemporal correlation. The determined sleep factor may include a totalsleep time for a sleep session. The method may involve generating thetemporal correlation for a plurality of sleep sessions between one ormore determined sleep factors, one or more of the input user parametersand one or more ambient sleep conditions including ambient sound level,ambient light level, ambient temperature level, ambient air pollutionlevel and weather conditions at a location of the user.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a system to promotesleep. The system may include one or more processors, such as one ormore processors of a server(s), as one or more processors of a smartdevice(s) (e.g., mobile phone), as one or more processors of computer(s)or any combination of such processors. The one or more processors may beconfigured to access measured sleep data representing user movementdetected by a movement sensor, and to process the measured sleep data todetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data.The one or more processors may be configured to access measuredenvironmental data representing ambient sleep conditions. The one ormore processors may be configured to prompt for input of user lifestyledata on a sleep session-by-sleep session basis. The one or moreprocessors may be configured to evaluate the sleep factors to detect asleep issue. The system may optionally include a transmitter configuredto transmit at least some of at least one of: the measured sleep data,data of the determined sleep factors, the measured environmental dataand the input user lifestyle data, so as to facilitate evaluation of thetransmitted data and selection of a likely cause, or a most likelycause, of the detected sleep issue. The system may optionally include areceiver configured to receive one or more advice messages associatedwith the selected cause, the advice messages including advice contentfor promoting sleep. The system may optionally include a display todisplay the received one or more advice messages to a user.

Optionally, one or more advice messages may comprise a series of advicemessages over time consecutively generated upon continued detection ofthe sleep issue. The measured environmental data may comprise one ormore of detected light, detected sound and detected temperature. Thesleep factors may comprise one or more of sleep latency, REM sleep time,deep sleep time and number of sleep interruptions. A detected sleepissue may comprise any one or more of a REM time too short condition, aREM time too long condition, a REM time fragmented condition, a Deepsleep time too short condition, a Deep sleep time too long condition anda Deep sleep time fragmented condition. A detected sleep issue may bethat a user's sleep had too many interruptions. In some cases, theevaluation of the measured environmental data and the input userlifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of the detectedsleep issue may involve calculating probabilities. Optionally, in thesystem, generation of an advice message may include triggering a pushnotification. In some cases, the selected most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue, associated with the received advice, may befurther based on an evaluation of historical sleep data to detect asleep trend.

In some cases, the one or more processors and/or the receiver may beconfigured to receive data indicative of a result of a triage process.The triage process may involve a probability determination based on thedetected sleep issue to determine a risky sleep condition. Theprobability determination may include calculating a probability of oneor more of a risk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoring and a risk ofchronic insomnia. In some cases, the one or more processors and/or thereceiver may be further configured to receive a generated report withinformation concerning the risky sleep condition to facilitate access toa sleep health specialist. In some versions, the one or more processorsand/or the transmitter may be further configured to transmit dataindicative of a user's location and receive one or more advice messagesbased on the transmitted location data. Optionally, a received advicemessage may include jet lag advice.

Some versions of the present technology may involve a method for anelectronic system to promote sleep with one or more processors. The oneor more processors may be in a server(s), a smart device(s) (e.g.,mobile phone), a computer(s) or any combination of such processors. Themethod may include accessing measured data representing user movementdetected by a movement sensor. The method may include processing themeasured data to determine sleep factors with features derived from themeasured data. The method may include accessing measured environmentaldata representing ambient sleep conditions. The method may includeprompting for input of user lifestyle data on a sleep session-by-sleepsession basis. The method may include evaluating the sleep factors todetect a sleep issue. The method may include transmitting to a remotelocation at least some of at least one of the following types of data:the measured data, data of the determined sleep factors, the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data, to facilitateevaluation of the transmitted data and selection of a likely cause, or amost likely cause, of the detected sleep issue. The method may includereceiving one or more generated electronic advice messages associatedwith the selected cause. The advice messages may include advice contentfor promoting sleep. The method may include displaying the receivedelectronic advice messages.

Optionally, the environmental data may include one or more of detectedlight, detected sound and detected temperature. The sleep factors mayinclude one or more of: REM sleep time; deep sleep time; too many sleepinterruptions; a REM time too short condition; a REM time too short ortoo long condition; a REM time fragmented condition; a Deep sleep timetoo short condition; a deep sleep time too long condition; and a deepsleep time fragmented condition. The evaluation of the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data to select one as amost likely cause of the detected sleep issue may further includeevaluating historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.

The method may include executing a triage process. The triage processmay involve determining probabilities based on the detected sleep issueto determine a risky sleep condition. The determined probabilities mayinclude a probability of one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, a risk ofsnoring and a risk of chronic insomnia. The method may include receivinga report indicative of a result of a triage process. The report mayinclude information concerning the risky sleep condition to facilitateaccess to a sleep health specialist. In some cases, at least one of theone or more advice messages is based on a detected location or on adetected change in location. Optionally, a generated advice message mayinclude jet lag advice.

Some versions of the present technology may include a method for anelectronic system to promote sleep. The method may involve accessing,with one or more processors, measured data representing user movementdetected by a movement sensor, and/or sleep factors with featuresderived from the measured data. The method may involve accessing, withone or more processors, measured environmental data representing ambientsleep conditions. The method may involve accessing, with one or moreprocessors, input user lifestyle data obtained on a sleepsession-by-sleep session basis. The method may involve evaluating, withone or more processors, the sleep factors to detect a sleep issue. Themethod may involve evaluating, with one or more processors, the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data to select one as amost likely cause of the detected sleep issue. The method may involvegenerating one or more electronic advice messages associated with theselected one, the advice messages including advice content for promotingsleep.

Optionally, the generating one or more advice messages may involvegenerating a series of advice messages over time consecutively uponcontinued detection of the sleep issue. The environmental data mayinclude one or more of detected light, detected sound and detectedtemperature and wherein the sleep factors comprises one or more of sleeplatency, REM sleep time, deep sleep time and number of sleepinterruptions. A detected sleep issue may include any one or more of: aREM time too short condition; a REM time too long condition; a REM timefragmented condition; a Deep sleep time too short condition; a deepsleep time too long condition; deep sleep time fragmented condition; andtoo many sleep interruptions. The evaluating of the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data to select one as amost likely cause of the detected sleep issue may involve calculatingprobabilities. The generating of the advice message may includetriggering a push notification. The method may be executed by processesof one or more networked servers.

The evaluating of the measured environmental data and the input userlifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of the detectedsleep issue may further include evaluating historical sleep data todetect a sleep trend. The method may further involve executing a triageprocess. The triage process may include determining probabilities basedon the detected sleep issue to determine a risky sleep condition. Thedetermined probabilities may include a probability of one or more of arisk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoring and a risk of chronic insomniaOptionally, the triage process may trigger generation of a report withinformation concerning the risky sleep condition to facilitate access toa sleep health specialist. The triage process may trigger generation ofa report based on a comparison of a threshold with a calculatedprobability value. The method may involve generating one or more of theadvice messages based on a detected location or detected change inlocation. The method may involve

a generated advice message that includes jet lag advice.

Some versions of the present technology may include an electronic systemto promote sleep. The system may include one or more processors. The oneor more processors may be in a server(s), a smart device(s) (e.g.,mobile phone), a computer(s) or any combination of such processors. Theone or more processors may be configured to access measured sleep datarepresenting user movement detected by a movement sensor, and/or sleepfactors with features derived from the measured sleep data. The one ormore processors may be configured to access measured environmental datarepresenting ambient sleep conditions. The one or more processors may beconfigured to access input user lifestyle data collected on a sleepsession-by-sleep session basis evaluate the sleep factors to detect asleep issue. The one or more processors may be configured to evaluateone or more of: the measured sleep data, data of the sleep factors, themeasured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data, to selecta likely cause, or a most likely cause, of the detected sleep issue. Theone or more processors may be configured to generate one or more advicemessages associated with the selected cause, the advice messagesincluding advice content for promoting sleep. Optionally, the one ormore processors may be configured to transmit (or display) the generatedone or more advice messages to a display device associated with theuser.

Optionally, the generated one or more advice messages may include aseries of advice messages (or different advice messages) over timeconsecutively generated upon continued detection of the sleep issue. Insome cases, an evaluation of the measured environmental data and theinput user lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue may involve calculating probabilities. Optionally,generation of an advice message may include triggering a pushnotification by the system. In some versions, an evaluation of themeasured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data to selectone as a most likely cause of the detected sleep issue further includesan evaluation of historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.

The system may optionally include one or more processors are configuredto execute a triage process. The triage process may include aprobability determination based on the detected sleep issue to determinea risky sleep condition. The probability determination may involvecalculating a probability of one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, arisk of snoring and a risk of chronic insomnia. Optionally, the triageprocess may trigger generation of a report with information concerningthe risky sleep condition to facilitate access to a sleep healthspecialist. The triage process may trigger generation of a report basedon a comparison of a threshold with a calculated probability value. Insome cases, at least one of the generated one or more advice messagesmay be based on a detected location and/or change in location. In someversions, at least one generated advice message may include jet lagadvice.

Some versions of the present technology may include a system to promotesleep comprising a processor. The processor may be configured to receivea measured sleep data associated with user movement data during a sleepsession. The processor may be configured to process the movement data todetermine sleep factors with features derived from the movement data.The processor may be configured to measure ambient sleep conditions withone or more environmental sensors. The processor may be configured tocreate a sleep record for the sleep session with sleep factors and theambient sleep conditions. The processor may be configured to display thesleep factors on a display coupled to the processor. The processor maybe configured to transmit the sleep record to a server.

In some versions, processor control instructions of the processor mayfurther control the processor of a device in execution of an autostartprocess to: evaluate the movement data transmitted from a sensor moduleto determine presence or absence of a user based on a detection qualityof sensed respiration; and on detection of presence of the user,initiating a sleep session information gathering process.

In some versions, processor control instructions of the processor mayfurther control the processor of a device in execution of an autostopprocess to: evaluate the movement data transmitted from a sensor moduleto determine presence or absence of a user; and on detection of asustained absence of a user, terminate a sleep session informationgathering process. The detection of the sustained absence of the usermay determine the sustained absence in relation to an expected wake uptime.

In some cases, a sensor module may further include a receiver to receivecontrol commands and processor control instructions may further controlthe processor to transmit a terminate command to the receiver of thesensor module. Optionally, the system may include processor controlinstructions configured to control the processor of a device to detectenvironmental parameters and/or location of the device, and based on atleast a detected environmental parameter or the location of the device,adjust a parameter of a sleep session information gathering process.Optionally, the environmental parameter may include a light settingand/or sound setting for the device. In some cases, the parameter may beadjusted upon determination of a local time at a detected location.Processor control instructions may also be configured in the system tocontrol the processor of a device to generate a user interface forselectively controlling activation and deactivation of the one or moreenvironmental sensors. In some version, included processor controlinstructions may be configured to control the processor of a device togenerate an alarm to remind a user to go to sleep. Included processorcontrol instructions may also be configured to control the processor ofa device to generate the alarm upon detection of a time to sleep. Thetime to sleep may be a calculated optimal nap time. In some versions,the one or more environmental sensors may include a humidity sensor, asound sensor, a light sensor and an air quality sensor.

Some versions of the present technology may include a method forexecuting, with a processor, a sleep session information gatheringprocess in a device. The method may involve receiving movement datatransmitted from a sensor module. The method may involve processing themovement data to determine sleep factors with features derived from themovement data. The method may involve measuring ambient sleep conditionswith one or more environmental sensors. The method may involve creatinga sleep record for a sleep session with sleep factors and the ambientsleep conditions. The method may involve displaying the sleep factors ona display coupled to the processor. The method may involve transmittingthe sleep record to a server.

In some cases, the method may involve with the processor executing anautostart process. The process may involve evaluating the movement datatransmitted from the sensor module to determine presence or absence of auser based on a detection quality of sensed respiration, and ondetection of presence of the user, initiating a sleep sessioninformation gathering process.

In some cases, the method may involve with the processor, executing anautostop process. The process may involve evaluating the movement datatransmitted from the sensor module to determine presence or absence of auser, and on detection of a sustained absence of a user, terminating asleep session information gathering process. Detection of the sustainedabsence of the user may involve determining the sustained absence inrelation to an expected wake up time. In some versions, the sensormodule may further include a receiver to receive control commands, andthe method may further include transmitting a terminate command to thereceiver of the sensor module.

The method may involve detecting environmental parameters and/or alocation of the device, and based on at least a detected parameter or adetected location of the device, adjusting a parameter of the sleepsession information gathering process. The parameter may include a lightsetting and/or sound setting for the device. The parameter may beadjusted upon determination of a local time at a detected location.

The method may involve generating a user interface for selectivelycontrolling activation and deactivation of the one or more environmentalsensors. The method may involve generating an alarm to remind a user togo to sleep. The alarm may be generated by detecting a time to sleep.The time to sleep may be detected when a clock time satisfies acalculated optimal take a nap time. The method may further includecalculating the optimal take a nap time such that the optimal take a naptime may be based on processing logged wake up times. In some cases, theone or more environmental sensors may include a humidity sensor, a soundsensor, a light sensor and an air quality sensor.

Of course, portions of the aspects may form sub-aspects of the presenttechnology. Also, various ones of the sub-aspects and/or aspects may becombined in various manners and also constitute additional aspects orsub-aspects of the present technology.

Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration ofthe information contained in the following detailed description,abstract, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present technology will now be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements:

FIG. 1 shows an overview of aspects of the present technology;

FIG. 2 is an example diagram of the processing of data generated bysensors associated with an example system of the present technology;this diagram illustrates the movement of the sleep data. Initially,collected by the various sensors from the user in the “capture” stage,the data is processed, during the “crunch” stage. During this processingvarious characteristics and trends in the data, possibly identifyingsleep characteristics and patterns, are identified;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of example physical components that may beimplemented in some versions of the present technology; in one example,the system may use a bedside unit, including a sensor, a software mobile“App” or software running on a computer, and a server (e.g., a web basedcloud service) with a database;

FIG. 3a illustrates an example version of the present technology of FIG.3;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of hardware components and the resultingmovement of data from a bedside unit to an online database;

FIG. 5 shows conceptual diagram of hardware components in a bedside unitand its interaction with a PC;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of one implementation of an application forApple, Android or other smart device;

FIG. 7 shows a logic outline of a web server/cloud and of its data linkswith the smart device app or PC/laptop and an application server; thisshows a web server outline for one or more of: (a) user's web pages and(b) for the data link between either the smart device app or PC/laptop,and (c) external delivery of email/communications outputs. The userinterface allows a user to access various screens to manage theiraccount, view their sleep and environmental data, and sleep advicedelivered from the advice engine;

FIG. 8 shows logic units (including advice engine and user datamanagement) of the application server (or cloud implementation of same);

FIG. 9 shows one implementation of data layer that could comprise a maindatabase and links to external systems (e.g., APIs to interoperate withother systems);

FIG. 10a shows a block diagram of an example implementation of a bedsideunit;

FIG. 10b shows a block diagram of another example implementation of abedside unit; in this example, a microcontroller runs a firmware programin order to sample data from the various sensors (biomotion, light,temperature etc.) The design may include button and light interfaces,memory for storing data when an external communication link is notavailable, a security chip to manage the data communications, and USB(universal serial bus) and Bluetooth (wireless) interfaces. The USB portmay be for charging only, or be configured as USB OTG (On-The-Go), i.e.,to have a hosting role or act as a normal USB device when attached toanother host;

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of example components of a systemincluding an example advice delivery data pathway perspective; RM20 maybe understood as a process for ‘sleep processing’. The data is capturedby the sensors, crunched by the RM20 library and then delivered to theuser, these include sleep scores and hypnograms. This data istransferred to the advice engine. The advice engine is able to draw fromthe user's history such as previous sleep histories, previous advicegiven to the user, pre-sleep questionnaire to tailor the advice andgenerate the most appropriate advice for the user. The advice is thenrelayed to the user. One such embodiment of this delivery method is apush notification service utilizing the smart devices operating system;

FIG. 12 illustrates a methodology for sleep tracking such as with aconnected accessory processing device (e.g., motion sensor monitor andsmart phone) during a sleep session; in this example, sleep trackingwith phone connected occurs, and remains connected for the full sleepsession. Once the Bed Side (BeD) device starts tracking sleep and asmart device remains connected, the RM20 library located in the smartdevice process data it receives in near real-time. Once the sleeptracking is terminated, the processed data provides the user withinformation on their sleep, giving the user a clear breakdown of theirresults such as a sleep score, hypnogram and pie chart;

FIG. 13 shows a methodology for sleep tracking such as with anintermittently connected accessory processing device (e.g., motionsensor monitor and smart phone) during a sleep session; in this example,start sleep tracking with SmD (smart phone/tablet etc.) connectedoccurs, and SmD disconnects and reconnects during the sleep session. Thelibrary stops processing data, as it no longer is receiving real timedata streaming form the BeD. The post processing results are generatedfor the user and the user is informed. One such method to inform theuser could include a notification on the device. The SmD will try toreconnect to the BeD. If a reconnection is successful, then datastreaming and processing will resume from where it left off. The dataremaining on the BeD is transferred for processing can the sleep sessiontracking continues on as normal and the notification can be ignored;

FIG. 14 is another methodology for sleep tracking such as with anintermittently connected accessory processing device (e.g., sleep sensormonitor and smart phone) during a sleep session; in this example, thestart sleep tracking occurs with SmD connected, then the SmDdisconnects, for example Bluetooth connection is lost. Bluetoothconnection can be re-established by itself but if the ‘stop sleeptracking’ button is pressed before reconnection is established the ‘app’offers the option to reconnect. If the user decides not to reconnectthen the sleep session will close and the data will remain on the devicefor a later time. However, if the user decides to re-establish theconnection the data on the BeD can be transferred to the SmD forprocessing and upload to the cloud. This is the on-boarding flow.

FIG. 15 shows a methodology for transfer of data for sleep sessionmanagement between hardware device (motion detector with sensors) andsmart processing device (e.g., smart phone or computer); this example isof the On-boarding Flow. When a new sleep session is initiated, libraryprocessing is initiated, the pre-existing data is transferred from theBeD to the SmD if this data exists. On boarding is required when a lossof connection between the two devices occurs. It occurs once connectionis re-established. One embodiment of this occurs when a new sleepsession is initiated by the user; library processing is initiated, dataon boarding occurs. Once the library is stopped, the sleep data isprocessed and is available to the user. It is also uploaded to the cloudto contribute to the user data available. This enables the advice engineprocessing. If a new sleep session is not initiated and reconnection isestablished after connection loss, for example Bluetooth connection,once reconnection is re-established data on boarding can be performed.The data left on the device can now be transferred to the smart devicefor processing. European Data Format (EDF) is a standard file formatdesigned for exchange and storage of data time series and may beimplemented in this process;

FIG. 16 shows a methodology for deleting data for sleep sessionmanagement between hardware device (motion detector with sensors) andsmart processing device (e.g., smart phone or computer); On-boardingFlow with respect to a different user. Data may remain on the BeD if anunexpected disconnection occurs, such as Bluetooth connection loss. Thisembodiment gives the option to the user to delete data that remains onthe BeD prior to another user connecting to the BeD. If the user decidedto remove the data that is stored locally on the BeD, the user muststart the library to allow near real time data transfer and processing.Once the library is stopped the data can be viewed by the user followingpost data processing. And it is also uploaded to the cloud for the backend server to process, the Advice Engine processing;

FIG. 17 illustrates a methodology for ceasing sleep session logging suchas when a user is not within range of a motion sensor; such an auto stoplogic can stop logging data when user is not within range. A probabilityof the user's absent/presence is determined based on the detection ofcharacteristic breathing signals and/or gross large scale movements.Auto stop is a mechanism for stopping the BeD from over-recording. Ifthe user is deemed to be awake or absent, the SmD will stopmonitoring/recording and the data is processed by the RM20 library. Thepost process data will become available for the user to assess. The datais upload to the cloud for implementation by the advice engine;

FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrate notification pathways that may be providedby a device of the present technology when implementing real-timebio-motion/environmental signals processing and storage; in thisexample, temperature compensation is applied to correct for selfheating. Also, an antialiasing filter and resampling operation isdepicted;

FIG. 19 is an example sleep staging methodology flow chart that may beimplemented by the processing of the apparatus described herein;

FIG. 20 illustrates example sleep staging processing output such as inthe form of a hypnogram;

FIG. 21 is another detailed example of a sleep staging process that maybe implemented by one or more processors of the devices of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 22 is an example methodology for a wake alarm in some versions ofthe present technology;

FIG. 23 is an example of a probability function that is a continuouslyincreasing function with respect to a fixed threshold, the illustratedexample of probability function being used in some embodiments of thedescribed technology;

FIG. 24 show an example output report with example mind and body sleepindicators that may be generated in some embodiments of the presenttechnology;

FIGS. 25a and 25b show example output report with an example sleep scorethat may be generated in some embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating total sleep time verses bin total sleeptime;

FIG. 27 is a graph illustrating light sleep duration verses bin lightsleep duration;

FIG. 28 is a graph illustrating sleep onset time verses bin sleep onset;

FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating REM duration verses bin REM;

FIG. 30 is a graph illustration deep sleep duration verse bin Deep;

FIG. 31 is a graph illustrating WASO (wake after sleep onset) durationverses bin WASO;

FIG. 32 illustrates example output indicators that may be generated by aprocessing apparatus of the technology such as a processor of a smartphone;

FIG. 33a shows an example diagram of a process of guided breathingaccording to an implementation of the proposed technology, from a user'sperspective;

FIG. 33b shows another example methodology of a processor such as forguided breathing to induce sleep that may be implemented in a processingdevice of the present technology; in one example, the recorded rate is 7BPM (br/min) Playback starts at 14 Br/min. The user's breathing ratewill be captured by the biomotion sensor, the music will originally playat a predetermined maximum BPM but will align with the user's breathingafter this initial capture period. This initial capture period will beaffected by when the user stops moving—as no value will be returned ifthey keep moving. The new rate will be played and will be in tune to theuser's breathing rate. If the user's breathing rate is greater than themaximum breathing rate then this embodiment will initially be set at themaximum rate. It will then follow its predetermined BPM reductionpathway;

FIG. 34 shows an example methodology of a processor such as for guidedbreathing to relaxation that may be implemented in a processing deviceof the present technology;

FIGS. 35a and 35b illustrate breathing rate reduction that may beimplemented with the methodologies of FIGS. 33 and 34;

FIG. 36 shows a conceptual block diagram with example processes of oneimplementation with a bedside unit (e.g., processing unit);

FIG. 37 illustrates example processes of a system for generating sleepadvice, such as utilizing one or more servers to communicate with aprocessing device (e.g., smart phone) of the system of the presenttechnology;

FIG. 38 illustrates an example processing methodology for generatingsleep related advice for some versions of the present technology;

FIG. 39 shows a processing methodology for generating advice over time;

FIG. 40 illustrates a state machine for a processing methodology togenerate advice over time;

FIG. 41 illustrates a correlation process for correlation of parametersdetected and recorded;

FIG. 42 illustrates an advice process showing how collected informationcontributes to the advice engine analysis;

FIG. 43 illustrates a relationship between user data to advice content;

FIG. 44 illustrates a process for management of advice content in someversions of the present technology;

FIG. 45 illustrates an example push engine architecture and itsinteractions in the generation of sleep advice in some versions of thepresent technology;

FIG. 46 illustrates example data organization suitable forimplementation in some embodiments of the present technology;

FIG. 47 illustrates a “Clear up your Mind” recording process implementedto promote sleep;

FIG. 48 shows and example triage process for analysis of data that maybe implemented in some versions of the present technology;

FIG. 49 illustrates an example process for data analysis in thedetection of risky sleep that may be indicative of a sleep problem;

FIG. 50 illustrates a process flow that may be implemented in someversion of the present technology, such as by a backend server, toimplement a pre-triage advice engine processing;

FIG. 51 illustrates a process in the detection of some example ‘sleepissues’ that may be implemented by a risky sleep determination engine;

FIG. 52 illustrates a classification process in of risky sleep detectionbased on a number of data inputs;

FIG. 53 is a block diagram for an example oganization of processesinvolved in risky sleep detection with a risky sleep engine; and

FIG. 54a-d shows an example output report that may be generated with aprocessor of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology relates to methods and systems that may enable auser to achieve a better sleep. The system may record sleep patterns andbedroom environment parameters. Further parameters, such as location ofthe user, for example in the form of GPS coordinates, time of the day,time of the year etc. may also be recorded. With such information, thesystem may generate sleep related output as well personalisedrecommendations, such as regarding the user's day and evening routines,and connection to various information resources, in order to helpimprove the user's sleep environment and habits. As well as monitoring auser's environment and sleep pattern which contribute to thepersonalized recommendations, the system can help the user to cleartheir mind of thoughts that might otherwise keep the user awake andassist in inducing sleep. Along with promoting better sleep, the systemcan also provide a method to assist in falling asleep, waking up, and dosuch that the user wakes in a state that the user feels as refreshed aspossible.

The users sleep environment can divert from the users optimal sleeppattern required for achieving restful sleep. Therefore, the users sleepenvironment can be monitored for the duration of the sleep session.These measurements can be collected and processed by the “RM20” Libraryprocess (a sleep library of software processing functions and proceduresthat detects sleep related data from sensed motion signals) andcontribute to the advice engine functioning. They can trigger specificsleep hygiene advice, as well as identify a link between the user'ssleep and data obtained by the environmental sensors. The system may atappropriate intervals register, record or monitor and display bedroomevents which could cause disturbances. The ambient light and temperaturesensors will provide the absolute level of the light falling upon theBeD (the bedside device) (e.g., 0 to 100 Lux) with a resolution of 1 Luxand the temperature of the air around the BeD (e.g., +5 degrees to +35degrees centigrade) with an accuracy of 1 degree centigrade and aresolution of (for example) 0.25 degree centigrade.

To monitor the users sleep environment, the system may utilize any oneor more of;

-   -   Continuous sound, temperature and light monitoring and/or        recording during a sleep session.    -   Optional filter to separate the 5 loudest sounds during the        night.    -   Annotation of the environmental conditions on hypnogram.    -   The room environment conditions can be linked to periods of        awakenings    -   Local storage of annotations on sleep session data    -   Note whether the room temperature, light levels or sounds and/or        light are non-conducive to sleep

The technology described herein, including a system and a method,represents a non-pharmacological sleep aid. The technology combines arelaxation program, customized to the breathing pattern of the user,with environmental (i.e., sleeping area) monitoring, sleep monitoring,‘mind clear’ notes feature and other sleep assisting features. It doesnot require any mechanical contact with the user, so that the user doesnot have to wear any wires or sensors which may disturb the user's sleep(e.g., it does not require wearing a headband or having a phone placedon the mattress). It also alleviates the need to use sensing mattresses,which can be uncomfortable, as they still depend on direct contact withthe user's body. The technology provides customized rather than genericadvice based on data from the user, local environment and other sources.A larger number of different types of parameters can be analysed,allowing for a much broader picture of the user's sleep health to beassembled—e.g., sleep interruptions could be linked to allergy based onseasonal factors/local weather forecast.

Thus, the system may use wireless sensors to monitor breathing patternsand movement without the need for wearable attachments or any directcontact with the user's body. One realization shall use a non-contactbio-motion sensor for monitoring user's physiological parameters andmovement, the detailed operation of which is described in detail in theabove mentioned international patent applications WO2007/143535,WO2008/057883, WO2010/098836 and WO2010/036700. The system providesreal-time feedback to the user (or to an application software) followinganalysis of raw sensor data of the user's breathing and/or movement withthe non-contact bio-motion monitoring (e.g., ResMed's “SleepMinder”radio frequency device or other). Other non-contact (e.g., passiveinfra-red) or contact wearable (e.g., accelerometer- or piezoelectricmattresses—) based devices could also be used. The system also usesadditional sensors, such as one or more microphones, photo-detectorsand/or thermometers (e.g., thermistor(s)), to track the presence andpotential impacts of factors, such as light, noise and ambienttemperature on the user's sleep. Apart from monitoring the bedroomenvironment, the system may have knowledge of the time of year and thespecific location of the user, and be able to link to geographic andseason-adjusted weather conditions, ask the user targeted questions,receive user's answers by way of a keyboard, touch sensitive pad orspeech recognition software, and cross correlate all the collectedinformation to the sleep parameters and trends detected for theindividual consumer. Statistical data from general population and/orother users may also be used.

The system works silently (except when the user has deliberately chosento use the alarm or calming sounds) and unobtrusively from the user'sbedside table or similar. The system does not produce any light or soundduring the sleeping period, unless it is being brought in a “wake-up”mode (unless a specific feature such as “lucid dreaming” is initiatedbased on sleep stage).

The example contactless biosensor can measure various physiologicalparameters of the user, such as a breathing rate and various sleepparameters. These may be processed to determine specific sleep stages ofthe user's sleep and the time the user spends in each of these stages.As discussed in more detail herein, the sleep staging analysis evaluatesoutputs of user presence/absence and multi-epoch analysis to generate ahypnogram, sleep parameters and sleep scores. A decision may be made forevery epoch (e.g., 30 second interval or other suitable time period) toindicate if the user is asleep (deep, light or REM), awake or absent.Such data may be presented to a user to provide a feedback to the userregarding the user's mental and physical recovery (recharge) rate,portrayed in the sleep score as discussed later and hypnograph(hypnogram). The system is able to monitor and, in real time orotherwise, display to the user the sleep parameters by visualization ona screen of a bedside portable monitoring unit, a personal computer or acommunication device, such as a smartphone. Other parameters, such assnoring or sleep disorder breathing (apnoea or apnoea-hypopnea index)may also optionally be monitored, recorded and presented to the user.(Detail on conducting such sleep and Sleep disordered breathing (SDB)measurements are disclosed in US 2009/0203972, which is incorporatedhere in its entirety by reference).

The processing of the data can be implemented either on a recordingbedside table device itself or at a separate location (e.g., offlineprocessing device with data storage—smartphone or website) beforepresentation of the sleep data to the user.

The system may also be used in a mode where the measured parameters arefed back to the system and processed in order to obtain a feedback onthe basis of which the system will decide whether to continue with aspecific set of parameters or to either automatically change, or make arecommendation to the user to change one or more of the systemparameters. These parameters may include the nature of the sounds, thetempo of a specific rhythm, the loudness of the played music or thepresence of any other sound in the room, the setting/brightness, thevolume level for recording messages etc. In addition, the user has fullaccess to the data and can review their sleep and/or environmental datathrough mediums such as the app or website.

The user can process the data and decide to, or be prompted to, changeone or more environmental parameters. For instance, the user may beprompted to change the lighting or the temperature in the room or thevolume setting of the TV set or other environmental factors. If, forexample, the user's sleep pattern suggests that the user may be wakingbecause of occasional noises around 5 am, the system may suggestreducing the noise level by closing the window or wearing ear plugs. Ifthe user's bedroom is currently 80° F. but previous data shows that theuser sleeps better when it's cooler, the system may prompt the user toreduce the room temperature by opening a window or turning on the airconditioning to lower the temperature to (say) 66° F. If on the lastnight it took the user unusually long to fall asleep, or if the systemcurrently detects that the user is taking too long to fall asleep andthe user is still in an awake state, the system may prompt the user touse a breathing relaxation techniques or relieve the user's mind byrecording any thoughts that may be keeping the user awake, as discussedearlier in the text.

An alarm notification may be implemented to prompt the user to conductbreathing exercises, such if the user is taking too long to fall asleep(e.g., a time period commencing with the start of a sleep session duringa continued absence of detection of sleep onset compared to athreshold). A personalised alarm, in the form of an email, “sms” (shortmessage service) text message (or push notification or other), playingof a pre-recorded message or predetermined music, can be created toalert the user to perform a specific relaxation breathing exercise inthe hours before sleep time.

The rationale is that if a user is in a ‘stressed’ condition lying inbed, they may find it very difficult to unwind and relax at thattime—even with customised breathing exercises or advice. In order toaddress this need—which may be communicated by the user, orautomatically determined based on an observed long duration sleeplatency (lengthy time to sleep)—the system can recommend scheduling aseries of breathing exercises in the hours before going to bed such asthe ‘assisted mediation’ feature. The system may also accept input fromthe user of possible times of the evening to implement the breathingexercise programme in order to suit the user's schedule.

In order to automatically detect the above need, the system measuresobjective sleep measures (such as sleep latency, sleep duration, numberof interruptions, type and duration of various sleep stages (light,deep, REM), and sleep quality) and subjective measures (such asperceived stress level, time taken to sleep—which may be entered via asimple questionnaire). For example, if a user typically goes to bed atsay 11 pm, but is seen to take 30 mins to fall asleep, has manyinterruptions and reports being stressed/“mind racing” in bed, thesystem may recommend a breathing programme at 10 pm. This could berelated to the user by way of a reminder alert on the smartphone (appalert, email, text, audio sound, or other means). This programme mightconsist of deep breathing exercises lasting 15 minutes, with biofeedbackutilising the non-contact sensor. A period of gentle music may follow.The purpose is to relax the user in this time, and prepare them gentlyfor sleep. Optionally, the system may monitor the user's heart rate, andheart rate variability in order to estimate their level of stress. Alower average heart, and/or increased variability in heart rate, can bepromoted by such breathing exercises, and relaxing sounds.

Apart from the system prompting the user to undertake a specific action,the user can also access and change, on the user's own accord or whenprompted, the current environmental parameters (the nature of the playedsounds, the frequency of a specific rhythm, the loudness of the playedmusic, the setting/brightness of the lighting, the temperature in theroom etc.). The user is also able to select alternatives to the currentsettings, as well as to review and amend any future settings, forexample proposed for implementation for the coming night of for futureone or more nights.

In summary, the system may include any one or more of the followingfeatures:

(1) With the non-contact bio-motion sensor, so that the user's sleep iscompletely uninterrupted, the system can measure/monitor and learn theuser's personal sleep pattern.

(2) The system can use environmental sensors to monitor the user'sbedroom environment, such as light, sound, temperature, humidity, and/orair quality. The system can also evaluate other relevant factors, suchas user's geographic location or altitude, time of the year etc.

(3) The result of the monitoring of the user biomotion data andenvironmental parameters may be processed and related to the user by wayof a personal electronic device, such as a PC (or a tablet) or acommunication device, such as a smart phone. At least some or all of theprocessed data can also be sent to a remote server. Apart from uploadingdata to a system server, the system may also be arranged to upload datato the user's personal webpage, to enable visual analysis and comparisonto benchmarks.

(4) All measurements and recordings of data are “opt-in” and the usermay be notified and in control when data is being collected.

(5) A pause feature (e.g., a “privacy” button) to halt recording of oneor more sensor inputs. For example, a graphic user interface on the PC,tablet, smart phone or other electronic device (SmD) used to interfacewith the user, may permit a user to temporarily disable certain sensorsfrom a list of sensors (e.g., microphone, temperature, motion, etc.).This might also be enabled a privacy switch on the BeD.

(6) The Bedside Device (BeD) and/or the SmD may perform automatedself-checks on a regular basis, such as each evening, and be capable ofresetting itself if required, such as if a fault is detected.

(7) The system is configured to prompt the user to record other data,such as the use of caffeine, alcohol, exercise, sleep pills, as well asfurther details related to any taken substances, such as the relevantamount, strength/brand, when (relate back to sleep patterns) etc. Toavoid an unwanted burden, the user has control of how many prompts andhow much data is requested and recorded.

(8) An easily selectable “airplane” mode on a smart device to quicklydisengage, when required.

(9) Range gating capabilities of the sensors allow the system to workwith two people in the bed, by monitoring the closest person, withoutimpacting the accuracy of the measurement.

(10) Two sensors can be used in the bedroom (to monitor each bedpartner) without impacting the accuracy of the system.

(11) The sensor of the system may be configured to continue to record,even when the user forgets to connect the smart device, so that it willstore the data for up to, for example, 7 nights. The process of syncingback the stored data is straightforward (e.g., just plug it in or othersimple process) and reasonably quick (e.g., 15-30 seconds to transferand process).

(12) The sensor device (e.g., bed table device) may include a chargingport for a smart device. The user may be reminded, such as by anelectronic message on the SmD, to plug in their smart device, as thedevice needs to last the entire night.

(13) The system may be used by multiple users over time, or by a singleuser on multiple devices over a period of time, each user being able toaccess their complete record.

(14) User remains able to use phone as normal (receive texts and phonecalls, browse web etc.) while the sensor working.

System Architecture—Overview

As shown in FIG. 1, in one view the system can be divided conceptuallyin three categories or stages—e.g., providing sleep assistance (byguiding the user towards relaxation) in stage A, sleep data recordingand analysis in Stage B, and providing sleep recommendations andcoaching in Stage C. The interconnection between these stages may beunderstood with reference to FIG. 2 showing a progression of sleep data.Initially collected by the various sensors from the user in the“capture” stage, the data is processed, during the “crunch” stage.During this processing various characteristics and trends in the data,sleep characteristics and patterns are identified. On the basis of thesefeatures and trends, the proposed system and method providerecommendations and coaching to the user, in the “deliver” stage (see,e.g., FIG. 36).

At a high level, data is gathered from one or more sensors, such as abiomotion sensor (e.g., a radio frequency movement sensor), from roomenvironmental sensors such as of light, sound, temperature and humidity.In addition, localisation data may be used to check online services forlocal weather patterns. The data may be input into an advice enginewhich analyses the parameters (environment, biomotion, etc.) inconjunction with previous user data, including population normativedata. The output generator may include information concerning sleep(e.g., a sleep score) and/or advice such as from an advice engine thatwill be discussed in more detail herein.

Example components of the system may be considered in reference to FIG.3. The system may include a bed side unit, such as the biomotion sensor.Some of the key sleep features identified with data from the biomotionsensor may include sleep quality, sleep duration, awake, light sleep,deep sleep, REM sleep, number of interruptions, respiration rate,duration of movement, and intensity of movement.

In one example, the system may use a bedside unit, including a sensor, asoftware mobile “App” or software running on a computer or othersmart/programmable processing device (e.g., tablet, phone laptop etc.),and a server (e.g., a web based cloud service) with a database. Thebedside unit 3000 is a device placed on a bedside table, bedside locker,stand, or other supporting means located near the user when they are inbed. This device contains the biomotion sensor and other environmentalsensor(s), and a wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) link to an app on asmart device 3002 (e.g., smartphone or tablet). The sleep dataprocessing may be split between the bedside unit and the smart device,or even concentrated in the smart device, to keep the data payload assmall as possible, whilst leveraging the processing power available onthe smart device. Further processing, such as by an advice engine, maybe implemented as a module on one or more servers 3004, typicallyimplemented on a cloud platform. The smart device and server communicatevia a data connection. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3a , the datafrom the bedside unit 3000 sensors, which may be determined from Dopplerradio frequency motion sensors, may be transferred from the bedsidedevice to a smartphone, tablet or PC via a wireless link (such asBluetooth) and then transferred to a cloud service where an adviceengine is running. The advice may be delivered back to the user viatheir smart device 3002.

System Architecture—Main Elements

The system may be further considered in reference to FIG. 4, and may becapable of logging data on the bedside unit 3000 (BeD) and/or on a smartdevice 3002 (SmD), and transferring data to computer system such as aPC/laptop, smart device, server 3004 and/or ‘cloud’ service.

In the example of FIG. 4, the system includes:

Bedside unit 3000 (e.g., standalone mains powered bedside device)Communications link from bedside unit to a smart device or PCSmart device 3002 application (e.g., Apple and Android implementations)Communications link from Smart device or PC to CloudCloud services (shown as servers 3004) including, Backend, Consumerfrontend, Advice generation, Advice delivery engine, Analytics.

An example of such a system is provided in the following table:

Element Type 1. Bedside unit (standalone mains powered bedside Device(full device) industrial design) 2. Communications links from (a)bedside unit to Comms link smart device, (b) bedside unit to PC 3. Smartdevice application (Apple and App (multiple Android) platforms) 4.Communications links from (a) smart device Comms link to Cloud, (b)PCbrowsers (including upload of data from PC) to Cloud 5. Cloud service(with backend, consumer Cloud software frontend and analytics & advicegeneration & as a service advice delivery engine, analytics).

The FIG. 4 block diagram is one example implementation of the system.Generally, in such a system, the bedside unit carries out, such as withits hardware and/or processor, most of the user and environmentalmonitoring, and contains memory storage. This device then communicateswith a processing device or computer (e.g., PC or smart device/cellphone) via a wired (e.g., USB) or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-FI, NFCor other) link. The computer then communicates with a series of serversimplementing sleep advice analysis applications, data storage andconnections to other systems via a network, such as the Internet. Itshould be noted that the series of indicated optional servers may beimplemented in one or more actual hardware servers/devices. Thecommunications may be via wired or wireless means. It should be notedthat the system can function with either PC or smart device, althoughgreater functionality is available if the user has a supported smartdevice. The systems can still function without the connection to thewebserver, but a connection is preferable and may be employed via anynumber of methods to transfer the data between the computer/smart device(“SmD”) and the cloud servers. The cloud may include of the backendserver which contains an advice engine that can then generate one ormore ‘nugget(s)’ of advice as discussed in more detail herein.

FIGS. 5-10 provide further detail on the main blocks identified in FIG.4.

System Architecture—Hardware—The Bedside Unit (“BeD”)

FIG. 5 shows one possible block diagram of a Bedside Unit 3000. Otherconceptual diagrams for the Bedside Unit 3000 are shown in FIG. 10a or10 b. The illustrated design of FIG. 5 contains sensors such asbiomotion, temperature, light, humidity and/audio. The sound sensor,typically a microphone, could be implemented on the smart device ratherthan on the bedside unit. Functions such as power on/power off andprivacy (suspend logging) can be implemented by switches, such asmicro-switches or touch switch/es—e.g., capacitive touch on eitherdevice, but are preferably included in the SmD. Indicators (such assingle, bi-colour or RGB LEDs) provide a visual indication of the statusof the device. These indicators may turn off during the sleeping periodsuch that the user is not disturbed by unnecessary “light pollution” inthe bedroom. The lights may vary in colour and/or intensity based on thedetected respiratory rate/respiratory waveform of the user, to indicatethe state of activity of the device. A full display with graphics couldalso be provided on the device in another version. The Bedside Unit mayincorporate memory to store data for later retrieval by the smartdevice. More details for the design illustrated in FIG. 13 will beprovided further in the text. Example BeD units are also illustrated inU.S. Design patent application No. 29/490,436, filed on May 9, 2014, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

System Architecture—Smart Device/PC/Laptop—(“SmD”)

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the processes (i.e., “app”) of the smartdevice 3002 or PC. For example, it illustrates (a) an applicationrunning on either an Apple, Android or other smart device and (b)PC/laptop web view of data/upload of data from the bedside unit. The app“business layer” performs processing of the sensor data received fromthe Bedside Unit. Additionally, audio processing can be performed by theapp, including monitoring of background sounds (e.g., snoring of theuser, traffic noise, other background noises such as the trash truck,car horns etc.—manifesting in the audio signal). Sound data can bedelivered via the app—either through the Smart device's internal speakeror via an external speaker (e.g., connected via Bluetooth, cable etc.).Local storage in a database on the Smart device is used to cache data,and provide local storage for quick display of statistics, graphs andadvice delivered from the web server/cloud across a data connection—andallow for the case where a data connection is not available betweencloud and the App. The app can gather location data from GPS or othermeans in order to enhance the advice delivered (e.g., user to crossreference with weather forecasting, pollen alerts, jet lag, etc.). Byusing/obtaining/recording location data, advice can be linked to actualsunrise time at the user location, check if the user is travelling andoffer appropriate advice to manage jetlag or their new room environment.It can recommend advice on diet.

An optional PC application or HTML 5 (or other) based website canprovide an alternative means of viewing statistics, graphs and adviceconcerning sleep data and advice.

The SmD is a central component in the overall system design. (although,the SmD functionality could be replicated in the BeD with a suitabledisplay, processor and other components in another version). It may beresponsible for the following: BeD control and BeD interface; cloudinterface; Push notifications interface; DSP (digital signal processing)and Sound acquisition. Input to the processor of the SmD may include thefollowing. The BeD interface enables communication between the SmD andBeD of: raw biomotion data; compressed biomotion data; temperature data(e.g., Celsius) and/or light data (e.g., Luminance). The SmD's cloudinterface enables exchange between the BeD and the cloud/servers of:user data; processed sleep data (states, scores, etc.); annotated advice(“nuggets”). Sound Acquisition of the SmD may involve input ofmicrophone power level sample. The SmD may receive Push Notificationsthat may include sleep related advice. The BeD Interface of the SmD mayoutput control signals to control operations of the BeD and firmwareupdates for updating the BeD. The cloud interface of the SmD may outputUser data (e.g., account information etc.), processed sleep data, rawsleep data, advice feedback, sound data, Celsius temperature data and/orLuminance light data.

Sound may be recorded on the SmD throughout a sleep tracking session.Environmental sound monitoring may incorporate the following process.The sound content need not be stored. User may be prompted forpermission to record sound events. The sound volume may be sampled at 1Hz (or at other rates, e.g., 16 kHz or other). In one configuration,only some sounds, such as sound greater than a certain threshold, may besaved. At the end of the night, the loudest sounds (e.g., 5 sound eventsbut this number may be set by a user as a software setting to anydifferent number of events) can be stored and the remaining sound eventsdeleted. The frequency of the sound may also be analysed using an FFT(Fast Fourier Transform) and other time domain measures such as zerocrossing, peak detection, run length averaging to identify specificcomponents, such as snoring, high, mid, and low frequency soundevents—whether they be of short or longer duration.

System Architecture—Web Server/Cloud Service

FIG. 7 shows a web server logic processes for one or more of: (a) user'sweb pages and (b) for the data link between either the smart device appor PC/laptop, and (c) external delivery of email/communications outputs.The user interface allows a user to access various screens to managetheir account, view their sleep and environmental data, view theirpersonal goals and achievements, their progress against their peers, andsleep advice delivered from the advice engine.

System Architecture—Application Server/Cloud Service/Personalized Advice

FIG. 8 illustrates the main business logic processes (including adviceengine 3006 and user data management 3008) being carried out by theapplication server (or cloud implementation of same). The advice engine3006 may generate advice as described in more detail herein such assleep related message for sleep improvement based on recorded/detecteduser sleep data.

The backend cloud software may have discrete modules including a userbackend and advice engine. These modules may share common business logicand a one or more database(s). The database can be separated into twodifferent schemas: one for user data and one for advice data. Bothmodules can be accessible through a service layer, this is discussed aspart of the Advice engine in more detail herein.

The cloud user backend contains the data and business logic for servingthe SmD. Communication with the SmD may be via the client-server modelpattern. The user backend may be responsible for client backup service;to synchronise user data to multiple devices; to maintain historicaldata (e.g., user and sleep data). Input to the cloud user backend viathe SmD interface may include User data, Processed sleep data, Raw sleepdata, Sound data, Celsius temperature data and/or Luminance light data.Output from the cloud user backend to the SmD interface may include Userdata and/or Processed sleep data, Advice data etc.

System Architecture—Data Store and Links to External Systems(Application Programming Interfaces—APIs)

FIG. 9 illustrates the data layer comprising a main database and linksto external systems (e.g., APIs to interoperate with other systems).These may be accessible to the server(s) 3004 and/or the smart device3002. Data utilized in the processes of the system may be stored andorganized in these components of the system.

Hardware Exemplar Embodiments—Bedside Unit (BeD) Block Diagram

Returning now to the reference design of Bedside Unit 3000, severalexamples are illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b . In theexample shown in FIG. 10a , a microcontroller (MCU) or other processorruns a firmware program in order to sample data from the various sensors(for biomotion, light, temperature, noise/sound etc.) The design mayinclude button and light interfaces, memory for storing data when anexternal communication link to the smart device is not available, asecurity chip to manage the data communications, an universal serial busUSB and/or Bluetooth (wireless) interfaces. The USB port may be forcharging only, or be configured as USB OTG (On-The-Go), i.e., to have ahosting role or act as a normal USB device when attached to anotherhost. Thus, the device is configured with components to perform thefunctions described in more detail throughout this specification.

The BeD can, for example, operate in one of 2 states: (a) Out-of-sessionand (b) In-session. While in the out-of-session state the BeD will notrespond to any remote procedure calls (“RPCs”) apart from a session openrequest. It will respond to all such RPCs with a failure response.Following power up or reset the initial state will be out-of-session.RPC 16 (request session) is used with this feature. Exiting thein-session state will trigger the generation and storage of appropriatenotifications. Notifications are generated and either sent to aconnected and in-session SmD or queued for later transmission. Allcommunications with SmDs may utilise a packet-protocol. When the BeD isin the Sleep Session Breathing state, the LED brightness may be variedto reflect the ambient light levels. The LED brightness can be reducedto zero after a predetermined time (for example, between 5 and 30seconds, say 15 seconds). For example, when a low ambient light isdetected, it can be assumed that it is night time and the user may bepreparing for sleep or be temporarily woken from their sleep. Thus itmakes sense to use much lower screen intensity so as to avoid disturbingthe user or they partner. Similarly, different volume may be used forthe generated sounds, depending on the measured noise background. Suchsettings of adjustable screen brightness and/or sound volume may be usedfor all device functions or for some device functions, such as “Smartalarm” and “Mind Clear” which will be discussed later in the text.

The BeD also has the facility to accept firmware updates from the SmD.It is also able to send notifications to the smart device when certainenvironmental and internal events occur. The BeD shall be configured toprovide a Bluetooth connectivity to ensure good connectivity to the SmDin a room. Typically, the BeD will be implemented for signalacquisition, compression and to provide an interface to the SmD device.Input to the processor (MCU) of the BeD will include sensed Biomotiondata (4 channels) from its sensors including Breathing and Motion;ambient temperature data, light data, sound data (in someconfigurations); Control signals and/or firmware updates. The processorof the BeD may then output raw biomotion data, such as for furtherprocessing by the SmD, compressed biomotion data; converted temperaturedata (e.g., Celsius) and/or converted light data (e.g., Luminance).

System Architecture Exemplar Embodiment

An advice delivery data pathway may be considered with reference to FIG.11. The data is captured by the sensors of the BeD device (bedside unit3000). The data is transmitted to the processor of the SmD (smart device3002). In this example, the RM20 ‘sleep processing’ functions areperformed by the SmD processor. Thus, the sensor data isprocessed/evaluated by the RM20 library and the result(s) of theprocessing are then delivered to the user by the SmD processor. Suchoutput data may include sleep scores and hypnograms as described in moredetail herein. This data may then be transferred by the SmD device tothe Advice engine of the cloud service server(s) 3004. The Advice engineis able to draw from the user's history such as previous sleephistories, previous advice given to the user and pre-sleepquestionnaires answered by the user on the SmD device. With this data,the advice engine can tailor the most appropriate advice for the user.The advice is then relayed back to the user such as by transmitting theadvice to the SmD. One such embodiment of this delivery method is a pushnotification service utilising the SmD's operating system).

System—Exemplar Embodiments of Sleep Tracking (Handling of SleepSessions, Data Download “Onboarding”, Reconnecting)

In one example of the system, an application on the SmD may have a sleepscreen (graphic user interface). The screen may optionally show thatmonitoring/recording is in process if sleep tracking with the SmD andBeD is taking place. Optionally, it may show a real time or near realtime movement signal and/or respiration signal detected by the BeD. Oncea ‘Sleep’ option on the SmD activates, signifying that the user wants toinitiate going to sleep and activate the sleep tracking, a ‘pre-sleepquestionnaire’ screen is presented to the user so that the user mayanswer the questionnaire discussed in more detail in this specification.Upon completion of the questionnaire, the SmD may send a request to theBeD to stream data. Once data streaming begins the SmD may initiateprocessing with the RM20 process described in more detail herein. TheSmD processor then continues to request data from the BeD over thecourse of the night, during this time, the RM20 process may function inseveral ways. When a sleep session is initiated, the lights on the BeDand SmDs are turned off to minimize disruption to the user.Alternatively, instead of the sleep data being continuously transmittedfrom the BeD to the SmD, the data may be saved temporarily at the BeDand transmitted to the SmD in transmission sessions periodically throughthe night or in the morning, when the user terminates the sleep session.

A sleep record is generated after processing one sleep session followingthe stopping of the sleep tracking. Such records may be deleted after aperiod of time (e.g., 1 year). The following strategy is employed toensure the record arrives at the cloud server(s):

(1) Upload sleep data record after generation.

(2) If record fails to upload, a background service of the SmD mayattempt to upload the record at various intervals while the app isinactive.

(3) If more than one record has failed to upload, the records will bequeued, with one record uploaded per attempt.

FIGS. 12-16 may be considered in conjunction with the management of thetransfer of detected sensor information on the BeD device and itstransfer to the SmD device. As shown in FIG. 1, a sleep tracking sessionmay be initiated while the SmD device is “connected” for communicationspurposes with the BeD device. Such a communications connectionpreferably exists during the entirely of the sleep tracking/detectionsession. The RM20 library is initiated and a stream or raw movement datais transmitted from the BeD to the SmD. Once the Bed Side device startstracking sleep and a smart device remains connected, the RM20 librarylocated in the smart device processes data it receives in near realtime.Once the sleep tracking is terminated at the end of a sleep sension suchas by the user turning off the tracking, the processed data provides theuser with information on their sleep, giving the user a clear breakdownof their results such as a sleep score, hypnogram and a pie chart, whichwill be described in more detail later in the text.

As shown in FIG. 13, during an initiated sleep session after datastreaming has initiated, the SmD to BeD connection may be lost(“disconnected”). The library stops processing data, as it no longer isreceiving realtime data streaming form the BeD. The post processingresults are generated for the user and the user is informed. One suchmethod to inform the user could include a notification on the SmD devicesuch as a software pop up window. The SmD can attempt to reconnect tothe BeD. If a reconnection is successful, then data streaming andprocessing will resume from where it left off. During the disconnect,the BeD may continue to queue detected sensor data. The queued dataremaining on the BeD after reconnect may then be transferred forprocessing by the SmD and further sleep session tracking continues asnormal to the completion of the sleep session and the notification canbe ignored.

In the transfer process of FIG. 14, a disconnect event occurs and a useris provided an opportunity to terminate reconnection. Thus, the start ofthe sleep tracking with SmD connected may occur as usual. Thereafter, ifthe SmD disconnects, for example the Bluetooth connection is lost, anotification is presented to the user on the SmD. The connection can bere-established by itself but if a ‘stop sleep tracking’ button isactivated by the user before reconnection is established the SmDapplication then offers the option to the user to reconnect. If the userdecides not to reconnect then the sleep session will close and anyqueued data will remain on the BeD device for a later time. However, ifthe user decides to re-establish the connection, the queued data on theBeD can be transferred to the SmD for processing and upload to the cloudservers.

FIG. 15 illustrates an “on-boarding” flow process that addresses how thedevice manages queued data on the BeD. Such an Onboarding process isnecessary when a loss of connection between the two devices occurs. ABeD notification may be provided by the BeD that identifies to the SmDthat queued data exists and onboarding should proceed upon connection.The data may be transferred depending on whether a new sleep session isinitiated or not. Generally, the RM20 library can manage the transferand will be initiated after the BeD notification. Anypre-existing/queued data is transferred from the BeD to the SmD via an“R-Onboard” sequence if this data exists and a new session is notinitiated (i.e., a session is continued). Such on-boarding willtypically occur once connection is re-established. If a new sleepsession is initiated by the user and library processing is initiated andthe queued data may not be transferred. When the queued data istransferred, the data left on the device may be transferred in astandard file format designed for exchange and storage of data timeseries such as European Data Format (EDF) via the R-Onboard Sequence.Once the library is stopped, the processed sleep data is available tothe user. It can also be uploaded to the cloud servers to contribute tothe user data history available. This data then enables the adviceengine processing.

In the example of FIG. 16, the onboarding process may provide the userthe option to delete queued data. If Data remains on the BeD from anunexpected disconnection, such as Bluetooth connection loss, a BeDnotification is generated. This process prompts the user to delete datathat remains on the BeD prior to another user connecting to the BeD sothat the data from different users is not commingled. If the currentuser decides to keep the data that is stored on the BeD, then a newsession will be initiated by starting the library to allow near realtime data transfer of the queued data and its processing. Once thelibrary is stopped the data can be viewed by the user following postdata processing. And it is also uploaded to the cloud for the back endserver to process and the advice engine processing.

System—Exemplar Embodiments of Sleep Tracking—Auto Stop/Start

An auto start and auto stop function can be implemented for thenon-contact sensor (BeD)—to ensure that the user does not forget tostart and/or stop the sensor. This will ensure that the sensor recordsregularly the relevant sleep data, whilst no irrelevant data of an emptybed during the day is recorded. The auto-start and auto-stop featuresmay be executed together, separately, or not at all. For some usersthere may be value in enabling the auto-stop feature only; if they feelthat there is a behaviour benefit in associating the depression of thebutton of the device with the onset of the sleeping phase.

FIG. 17 illustrates a process for control of automated termination ofthe BeD device. This auto stop process can stop data logging such aswhen user is not within range of the sensors of the BeD. The processorof the SmD by review of sleep data may initially determine if totalsleep time is greater than a threshold (e.g., any one of 8, 9 or 10hours or other). If the BeD is connected to the SmD, the SmD processorby evaluation of the data from the sensor of the BeD may calculate aprobability of the user's absence or presence. This may be determinedbased on the detection of characteristic breathing signals and/or grosslarge scale movements in the data from the sensor. Auto stop is amechanism for stopping the BeD from over-recording. If the user isdeemed to be awake or absent, the SmD will send a control signal to theBeD to stop the BeD's monitoring/recording process. The SmD thencompletes its processing of sensed data with the functions of the RM20library. The post processed data then will be available for the user toview (e.g., in the form of sleep score and/or hypnogram). The data willthen also be uploaded to the cloud servers for evaluation by the adviceengine. In the event that the BeD is no longer connected, the SmD willattempt to reconnect. This process may be considered with reference tothe methodology shown in FIG. 14.

Other versions of auto stop function may also be implemented. In somecases, an autostart function may be implemented. Such auto-start andauto-stop functions allow the automatic recording of data and presentingthe “sleep” aspects to the user in a plausible manner. For example, theextraction/determination of “user absent”/“user present” statusinformation from the movement data can form a list of absent/presentlabels (e.g., on a 30 second epoch basis). The Presence/Absencedetection module (e.g., a process of the SmD device) can make a causaldecision (e.g., using 64 second windows, 1 second steps) to indicate ifthe subject is present within the field of the sensor or if the signalis background noise signal; the latter indicating that the subject isabsent. The Presence/Absence detection methodology can make a decisionbased on signal power levels, signal morphology and movement detections.A probability of the user's absence/presence can be determined based onthe detection of characteristic breathing signals and/or gross largescale movements. Hysteresis can be used to reject the case where theuser (or a pet or child for example) enters the room for a brief periodduring the day and then leaves again. Other versions may use the mainuser's characteristic breathing and/or heart rate patterns todistinguish the user from another user's signals (e.g., bed partner).

As an example, when a user enters a bedroom first, they may be seen tomove into and out of range of the sensor, or be at the periphery of thesensing range. Additionally, larger movement signatures may be capturedduring this time as the user prepares for bed. The sleep/wake analysisengine will note a higher percentage of good quality breathing signal,with less movement, as the user prepares for sleep; when theseconditions are met, a “present” state may be recorded. The notion thatthe user is deemed not to be awake is based on a reduction in movementlevels (both intensity and duration) being detected and also by theincreased regulation in the breathing pattern detected by the BeD. Theauto-start event then may be taken as the initiation of a sleep sessionor the attempt to go to sleep. Auto stop is a mechanism for stopping theBeD from over-recording. If the user has been sleeping for more than acertain period of time (e.g., 10 hours, 16 hours or other) as previouslydiscussed.

Thus, the triggering of sleep session initiation or termination of sleepsession may be based on any of the following data parameters: the peakpower level in the frequency domain (e.g., using a Fast FourierTransform); the ratio of in-respiratory-band to out-of-respiratory-bandfrequencies (to isolate a clear breathing frequency, even in lowamplitude signals); Peak or zero crossing detection on the time domainsignal (to help characterise movements), and the root mean square(RMS—or quadratic mean) of the time domain signal—a statistical measureof magnitude of a varying signal (indicating movement).

These measures may be performed on overlapping or non-overlapping epochsof data (typically of 30 sec length), and post processing may beperformed to reject isolated “false” breathing detection (e.g., in a“true absence” case, some background movement or small periodic signalcould raise the probability of a particular epoch being classified as“presence”, but if the surroundings epochs have a low calculatedprobability of “presence”, then the epoch under question can be rescoredas “absence”).

For the “auto-stop” feature, a primary feature may be based on asustained period of absence, optionally based around the expected userwake time. The system may scan a large portion of absence/presenceannotations to avoid tagging an “auto-stop” event when, for example, theuser has gone to the bathroom during the night, or gone to the kitchenfor a snack.

Optionally, a light sensor can be used, in isolation or in combinationwith the above described criteria, to detect if the room light isswitched on or off, and compared to the user specific habits.Optionally, this may be stored as historical data, by uploading to thecloud, which data the device then can draw upon to determine these userspecific habits. This can also contribute to the personalized advicegeneration. Also optionally, the system can be provided with a ‘targettime’ related to the user going to bed and/or waking up to reduce thesearch window for the auto-start and/or auto-stop feature.

The auto-start/auto-stop feature may be configured to not “lose” data;for example, if the data is displayed on a device, it may be possiblefor the user to over-ride the automatically tagged events.

Hardware/Firmware Exemplar Embodiment—Environmental and Biomotion DataAcquisition

FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrate a “Notification Path” provided by real-timebio-motion/environmental signal processing and storage implemented bythe BeD. As illustrated in FIG. 18a , a temperature sensor generates anambient temperature signal that may be compensated for self-heating(internal temperature). Temperature compensation is applied to correctfor self heating. The signal may be combined with a light sensor signaland supplied to the processor (e.g., microcontroller (MCU)) wherenotifications based thereon may be generated or the data therefromstored. A similar flow path may occur for the generation of a rawmovement signal from the bio-motion sensors of the BeD.

Thus, temperature and light are recorded by the BeD. The BeD may recordthese data at 1 Hz and down sample to 1/30 Hz. The SmD may stores 1light and 1 temperature sample for every 30 second epoch of sensormovement data.

Software—Sleep Staging

As previously mentioned the SmD device may employ RM20 processingfunctions. The processing functions provided by the RM20 module mayinclude, for example, a relax-to-sleep function, sleep score generationfunction, hypnogram generation function, smart alarm function and allfeatures that require information processing. RM20 library allows theuser to assess their sleep on a night by night basis. As such, the RM20module may implement a sleep staging process. This process evaluatesdata obtained from the sensors (e.g., biomotion or otherwise).

Some processes of the RM20 library may include the following:

1. Analysis of raw sensor data: Raw non-contact bio-motion data ispassed into the RM20 library. This data is processed and a hypnogram(sampled at, e.g., 30 seconds) and sleep parameters (sleep efficiency,total sleep time, etc.) are calculated and can be retrieved from thelibrary such as via API calls. These black box outputs are referred toas Post Analysis Engine (PAE) outputs, or ‘end of night’ outputs.

2. Provide real time outputs: If the raw data is written to the RM20library incrementally, then (semi) real-time outputs will be madeavailable. These will include respiration rate, signal quality, sleepstate, smart alarm status. These could also include heart rate, andactivity levels.

The RM20 algorithm processing may be specified to detect breathing ratesbetween for example, 7.5 and 30 breaths per minute (bpm), correspondingto, for example, 0.125-0.5 Hz. This frequency band corresponds torealistic human respiration rates. Hence, the term ‘in-band’ refers tothis frequency range.

Before the core RM20 algorithm can be implemented, sensor data may beprocessed using an anti-aliasing (AA) filter, decimated to 16 Hz andhigh pass filtered at 16 Hz—which is beneficial for activity analysis(See, e.g., FIG. 18b ). Phase demodulation techniques are used to mapthe non-contact sensor signal (16 Hz) to activity at 1 Hz, in a causalmanner. In each epoch, additional analysis is carried out to give anepoch based activity count.

Time domain statistics are calculated using 64 second overlapping datawindows, with lengths 1 second steps. Computations are causal allowingreal time processing, using retrospective data. Non causal methods allowfor off-line processing. The sleep score may be calculated at the end ofthe recording, using a non-causal hypnogram methodology, for example.

The following features may then be derived for each window and eachchannel: Mean; Standard deviation; Range. Each 64 second window maycontain 1024 (64 secs at 16 Hz) data points. Hence, the algorithm(s) maycalculate a 512 point FFT for each (I and Q signal components) datawindow. The results of these FFTs can be used to calculate respirationrate. Data from the biomotion sensor or its signal generator can be madeavailable in a range of rates and resolutions. Typically only onerate/resolution will be implemented within the BeD at any one time. TheRF Biomotion sensor permits extraction of movement features andestimation of breathing features.

Further details of the analysis of motion signals in the detection ofrespiration, movement and sleep staging by the RM20 processing may beconsidered in reference to the disclosures of PCT/US13/060652 filed Sep.19, 2013 and PCT/US07/70196 file Jun. 1, 2007, the entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

The sleep staging process may then be considered in reference to FIG.19. Sensor data is received at 1902. Absence detection and presencedetection processing is made at 1904 and 1906. Wake and Absencedetection processing is made at 1908 and 1910. REM detection and Wakedetection processing is made at 1912 and 1914. Deep Sleep detection andREM, Wake and Deep Sleep processing is made at 1916 and 1918. AHypnogram is then generated at 1920. Thus, the SmD may determine anddisplay sleep related data and stages of sleep over time of a sleepsession such as wake, absent, light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep.

A suitable example hypnogram with such data over time is illustrated inthe graph of FIG. 20. Typical information captured on the hypnogram maybe the indication of any one or more periods of a) Deep Sleep, b) REMsleep c) Light Sleep d) Awake periods e) Absent Sections f) EventsAnnotation (e.g., detected Light, Noise and Temperature events and/orsuch events may have disturbed sleep and be displayed in associationwith wake periods); g) Sleep Score h) indication of a level of BodyRecharge and/or Mind Recharge; j) Date and Time Information. A typicaldata flow that may be involved with the hypnogam may include: 1.Generation of analog data from the bio-motion sensor of the BeD;digitizing the generated data via a ADC; 3. Data arrives in a circularbuffer; 4. transmission to the SmD; 5. Processing with the RM20 libraryof the SmD; 6. Generate hypnogram & Sleep Synopsis information,displayed on SmD; 7. forward to the network server (the Advice Engineand store on the Cloud Repository); and 7. Advice engine generates andreturns advice nugget(s) back to SmD based on hypnogram and sleepsynopsis information.

Thus, a hypnogram may be provided as a feedback report to indicatewhether the subject's status at the respective period is that of deepsleep, light sleep, REM sleep, wake or absent for every 30 seconds ofthe recording. There can be multiple (e.g., two types) hypnogramsprovided: a pseudo (as it requires a number of surrounding Epochs)real-time hypnogram and a post processed hypnogram (which makes use of awhole recording as can be seen in sleep history). The hypnogram maytherefore be based on: (1) An activity and movement detection modulethat determines whether the subject had a gross body movement or laymotionless; (e.g. Displacement 16 Hz); (2) a presence detection modulewhich determines whether the subject is present or absent; and/or (3)Sleep staging algorithm for Sleep/Wake detection, REM detection, Deepsleep detection and/or Light Sleep detection.

Sleep/Wake at 1908 and Post-Process Wake and Absence at 1910

A filter is used to update activity counts throughout the night. Athreshold for wake detection is applied to the output of the filter.This threshold is combined with a ramp function, which accounts for Wakebeing more likely to occur at the beginning of the night, decreasing inlikelihood for the initial part of the night and then reaching aplateau. It may be assumed that no “absence” status exists at thebeginning and end of the data recording—absence in these sections isrescored as wake. Periods of absence must be surrounded by periods ofwake.

REM Identification at 1912 and Post-Process REM and Wake at 1914

To identify sections of REM, a threshold for REM detection is applied tothe normalized respiration rate variation. This threshold may becombined with a ramp function for the threshold, which accounts for whyREM is more likely to occur during the latter part of the night. REMtypically cannot be preceded by Wake. Short Wake sections within longREM sections may be removed.

Deep Sleep Identification at 1916 and Post-Process REM, Wake and DeepSleep at 1918

To identify sections of deep sleep, a threshold for deep sleep detectionis applied to the normalized respiration rate variation. This thresholdmay be combined with a ramp function for the threshold, which accountsfor deep sleep being less likely to occur beyond a certain portion ofthe night. Sections of deep sleep which are close to sections of wake atthe beginning and end of night may be removed. A check may be performedto determine if deep sleep follows too soon after REM. If it does, theend of REM section and first portion of deep section may be rescored.

Software Specific Embodiment—System Flow of Sleep Staging, Relax toSleep, Sleep Score, Smart Alarm, Advice Engine

Example processing of the RM20 functions are illustrated with referenceto FIG. 21. The sensor at 2101 generates a raw motion signal. The signalis digitized, subject to anti-aliasing and decimated at 2102. Timedomain statistics and/or frequency domain statistics can be determinedfrom the processed signal. Time domain statistics and frequency domainstatistics are determined at 2103 and 2104 respectively. Range, movementand presence information is supplied to a setup optimizer at 2105 whereflags are generated for sleep synopsis at 2106. In some versions, thesetup optimizer may execute the processes described in more detail inthe following specification. The filtered signal of the sensor is alsosupplied to high pass filtering process of 2110. The resulting signal issupplied to movement and activity detection process at 2111. Frequencystatistic information is supplied to a continuous respiration detectionprocess at 2112. Time domain statistics are supplied to presence absencedetection process at 2114. The respiration rate may be applied to a“relax to sleep” process at 2117. Presence, activity, movement andrespiration information is supplied to multi-epoch features process at2116. The epoch features are then supplied to final sleep stagingprocess at 2118 which provides hypnogram output for the sleep synopsisprocess 2106. The epoch features are also supplied to the real timesleep staging process at 2119, which provides sleep information for asmart alarm process 2120 for trigging an alarm at 2121. The output sleepsynopsis information may then be provided to an advice engine at 2108and an end-of-night display process at 2107.

In summary, the RM20 library can process the biomotion sensor data inreal time and also at the end of a recording. This library allows theestimation of sleep quality metrics on a night by night basis. There arealso product specific modules to support certain features. For example,the Relax-to-Sleep feature relies on respiration rate capture in realtime. Similarly, smart alarm processing considers sleep stagingestimation in real-time and provides a logic for ensuring users are notwoken up while in deep sleep within a chosen time window.

The following represents the current outputs provided by the RM20processing:

(a) A 5-states (3 stages of sleep) hypnogram. This indicates whether thecurrent subject's status is that of deep sleep (N3 sleep stage), lightsleep (N1-N2 sleep stage), REM sleep (N4 stage) or REM stage, wake orabsent for every 30 seconds of the recording. There are two type ofhypnograms provided: a pseudo (as it requires a small number ofsurrounding epochs) real-time hypnogram and a post processed hypnogram(which makes use of a whole or more complete recording). Optionally, anextra state could be included, whereby light sleep stages N1 and N2 areseparated into two states. To facilitate the hypnogram, the followingare evaluated:

(1) An activity and movement detection module which estimates gross bodymotion;

(2) A presence detection module which estimates presence or absence;

(3) A module capable of returning respiration rate throughout the night;

(4) Certain multi-epoch features obtained from respiration rate andactivity levels;

(5) Sleep staging algorithm (Sleep/Wake; REM detection; Deep sleepdetection)

(b) Relax: Processed respiration rate data is provided as an input tothe Relax feature.

(c) Real-time sleep staging: this output and a heuristic logic aim towake the user within a user-defined time window, while not in deepsleep.

(d) Sleep score: A score is provided at the end of the recording toindicate how well the user slept overall, based on sleep staginginformation.

Most processing employed in the RM20 algorithm module is conducted usingcausal methods for real time processing, and also using non-causalmethods for off-line post-processing. Functions may be either real-time,requiring retrospective data only, or off-line non-causal, requiring thefull signal being available prior to analysis. Various processingmethods are described in detail in the sections to follow.

Time domain statistics at 2103 of the process may be calculated using 64second data windows, overlapping with 1 second steps. Computations arecausal, using retrospective data. The following features may then bederived for each window and each channel: Mean, Standard deviationand/or Range.

Frequency domain statistics at 2104 may be calculated using 64 secondoverlapping data windows, with 1 second step length. Computations arecausal, using retrospective data. The process may detect breathing rateswithin a certain breathing rate window. For example, this amounts to 7.5to 30 breaths per minute (bpm), corresponding to 0.125-0.5 Hz. Thisfrequency band corresponds to realistic human breathing rates. Hence, inthis document the term ‘in-band’ refers to the frequency range 0.125-0.5Hz. Each 64 second window may contain 1024 (64 seconds at 16 Hz) datapoints. Hence, the algorithm calculates a 512 point (N/2) FFT for each(I and Q) data window. The results of these FFTs are used to calculatein-band spectral peak (which may subsequently be used to determinerespiration rate), as described below. The in-band frequency range isused to calculate respiration rate for each 64 second window, asdescribed below. An alternative frequency band can also be consideredfor typical heart rate (e.g., where a HR of 45 beats per minute to 180beats per minute corresponds to 0.75-3 Hz).

The spectral peak ratio may also be determined at 2104. The maximumin-band and outside-band peaks are identified, and used to calculate thespectral peak ratio. This may be understood to be the ratio of themaximum in-band peak, to the maximum outside-band peak.

The In-band variance may also be determined at 2104. The in band (0.125Hz-0.5 Hz) variance quantifies the power in the frequency band between0.125 and 0.5 Hz. This is used in the presence/absence detection module.

The spectral peak is identified at 2104 in the frequency band ofinterest through the implementation of a figure of merit which combinesspectral power level at each bin, as well as distance from adjacentpeaks and frequency of bin. The bin with the highest value for the abovedescribed figure of merit.

Activity Estimation and Movement Detection at 2111

Phase demodulation techniques are used to map the non-contact sensorsignal (16 Hz) to activity at 1 Hz, in a causal manner. In each epoch,additional analysis is carried out to give an epoch based activitycount. One example methodology follows:

Phase Between I & Q Channels:

-   -   Phase is found by mapping the ratio between I and Q sample to        the closest value in a pre-defined matrix of arc-tangent values.

Initial activity analysis:

-   -   Initially the activity counter is set to zero: ActCount=0    -   Check that I and Q signals are both above the noise threshold        (0.015)        -   If yes: ActCount=ActCount+8 (but never >16)        -   If no: ActCount=ActCount−1 (but never <0)    -   If ActCount(i)>=9, and ActCount(i−1)<9, the i^(th) data point        recorded as the start of a movement.    -   While no movement started, velocity=0

Displacement analysis (only while movement detected, ActCount>=9):

-   -   Velocity is calculated as the change in phase between        consecutive points; i.e. the instantaneous phase delta.    -   Displacement (16 Hz)=abs(Velocity).

Final activity analysis:

-   -   Activity (1 Hz)=mean displacement for each second.    -   For computational efficiency, activity is then mapped to the        closest value on a pre-defined matrix    -   In each 30 second epoch, Activity is summed, and limited to a        maximum of 30.

Presence/Absence Detection at 2114

The Presence/Absence detection module makes a causal decision (using 64second windows, 1 second steps) to indicate if the subject is presentwithin the field of the sensor or if the signal is purely noise; thelatter indicating that the subject is absent. The presence/absencedetection algorithm makes a decision based on signal power levels,signal morphology and movement detections. For absence detection, themaximum in-band power between the I and Q signal channels from thesensor is identified. A threshold is then applied to this value toidentify absence and presence sections. Absence is detected if thein-band variance is less than a threshold, and no ‘twitches’ aredetected (twitches are identifies when the range in a given second isgreater than a pre-defined threshold). Presence is detected otherwise.

Following presence/absence detection, several post-processing steps areimplemented. The following steps account for periods of data at thebeginning and end of the recording where the user may be moving in andout of the field of the sensor: (i) Find all sections of presencegreater than 15 minutes; (ii) Mark all epochs before beginning of firstas absence; (iii) Mark all epochs after end of last as absence. Detectedabsences are padded out to the previous and following detected movement,provided it is contained within a 5 minutes window from the boundary ofthe absence detection.

Real Time Respiration Rate Estimation at 2112

The module processes the respiration rate vector (1 Hz), previouslycalculated through spectral analysis, to exclude values which deviatetoo far from the previous mean, and output a vector of breathing ratesat 1/30 Hz:

The system has 3 main modes of operation:

Init mode

-   -   The initial ‘best respiration rate’ is taken as the mean of the        initial respiration rate values for I and Q channels

Fast Output Mode

-   -   For each new data point, the updated mean of the signal is        calculated and compared with the previous mean. The I or Q        (in-phase or quadrature) respiration rate value which is closest        to the previous mean value is used.

Safe Output Mode

-   -   Like fast output mode. As an additional condition, for each        sample (one sample/second), the algorithm checks if the new mean        respiration rate is within a certain band (e.g. +/−30%). If this        is the case, the new value is assumed to be an anomaly and is        replaced by NaN (not-a-number).    -   In case no output is returned consecutively for more than a        certain amount of time (in one embodiment 120s) of presence and        no movement, due to the condition on the maximum allowed against        currentMean, the system is set to InitMode.        The resulting respiration rate vector is used in all further        analysis; and in the SmD App to run the Relax-to-sleep feature.

Multi-Epoch Analysis at 2116

In this section of the algorithm, data is processed using 30 secondnon-overlapping epochs.

Activity Count—Causal and Non-Causal:

-   -   Epoch-based activity counts are used here. A filter using 21        (non-causal) or 11 (causal) empirically derived coefficients is        used to provide the final estimation of activity in each epoch.

Respiration Rate Variability Analysis:

-   -   De-trend the respiration rate signal by subtracting the moving        average (using a pre-defined window size to generate REM and        Deep Sleep respiration rate variability features) of the        respiration rate signal.    -   Find the local variation signal by calculating the moving        standard deviation of the de-trended respiration rate signal.    -   Using shorter windows (half as long), select sections of the        moving standard deviation signal; Take the minimum standard        deviation in each window as the final local variability of        respiration rate.

Sleep Staging at 2119 and 2118

The sleep staging module uses the outputs of the presence/absence andmulti-epoch analysis modules to generate a hypnogram, sleep parametersand sleep scores. A decision is made for every 30 second epoch toindicate if the subject is asleep (deep, light or REM), awake, absent. Ablock diagram of the sleep staging algorithm is shown in more detail inFIG. 19.

Smart Alarm Flowchart of Logic

The system may include a smart alarm which may assist user with wakingup during optimal wakeup/time state to ensure most restful sleep andwaking. This seeks to sound the alarm when the user is in an awake,aroused, or light or REM sleep state. In some configurations, REM sleepstages may also be avoided by the smart alarm. The system will alarm atthe end of the pre-programmed time window (e.g., sound an alarm at theoptimal time within a defined wake-up window), regardless of the sleepstate, in order that the user definitely is woken. The alarm can be setonce, daily, or on selected days such as weekdays only. The user canalso choose to set a time window before the alarm time where the sleepmonitor device can decide to wake the user, along with an audio soundchosen from a list provided by the application or from a file on the SmDto set the audible alarm sound. The optimal wake time may be determinedbased on near real-time sleep staging analysis by the processinglibrary.

The user may select a time for the alarm to fire/trigger and an alarmwindow, which proceeds the alarm time. The system looks for a suitablesleep stage during the time window and wakes the user when one isdetected. A user can query if an alarm is set. The user can query thecurrent set alarm time. The user can disable the alarm, if set.

If the user is within deep sleep during the alarm window, the systemwill wait for up to, for example, 20 minutes (or so) before beginning toramp an audio alarm/music very gradually in order to lead the user intoa light sleep, and then into a wake state. The predefined time may notbe 20 minutes and may depend on the length of the alarm window. Thesystem will sound the alarm at the end of the alarm window regardless ofthe sleep state, in order that the user definitely be woken.

This feature differs from the classic alarm which is set to a specifictime in the morning with the opportunity to snooze for another fixedperiod of time, the smart alarm, offers the user the option to have theapp attempt to awaken them at a time more suitable to a comfortableawakening. The smart alarm uses the real time processed data tointelligently select a time with which to sound the alarm. The periodwith which this alarm could fire is selected by the user the previousnight or according to a schedule. Once the alarm window is reached thesmart alarm feature will select a sufficiently lengthy period of lightsleep or wake to sound the alarm. If a period of light sleep or wakecannot be found the alarm defaults to firing at the very end of thewindow.

The optimal time is determined based on near or real-time sleep staginganalysis. The RM20 library contains the logic about whether the alarmshould be fired or not. The application passes the Current Epoch, theEpoch number of the start of the window, and the Epoch Number of the endof the window to the RM20 library. It preforms its logic internally andpasses a flag back to the app. This flag is a go/no go for the alarmsound.

An example use of the smart alarm may be considered in reference to thefollowing table. Consider a sleeper, George. George goes to bed. He logsonto the SmD application and sets the Smart Alarm window to end at 7:30am with a length of 30 mins He chooses the Alarm Sound and he thenstarts his Sleep Session.

# Use Case Outcome 1 If George is in Deep Sleep Smart alarm waits forGeorge to have 1 epoch of wake or 4 epochs of light sleep beforeactivating* 2 If George is in Light Sleep Smart alarm waits for Georgeto have 1 epoch of wake or 4 epochs of light sleep before activating* 3If George is awake Smart alarm fires immediately 4 If George is absentSmart alarm fires immediately 5 If George is in REM Smart alarm waitsfor George to have 1 epoch of wake or 4 epochs of light sleep beforeactivating* *activating means that the Smart Alarm logic proceeds to theprobability function as opposed to firing where firing is understood tomean that the alarm is activated to wake the user immediately. Thislogic has a weighted probability of waking the user towards the end ofthe smart alarm window.

Typical pre-requisites for proper function of the Smart Alarm mayinclude:

-   -   The BeD is set up and powered on—Smart alarm cannot activate        without a functioning system (but the alarm will fail safe        trigger at the end of the alarm window to wake the user)    -   The BeD is getting sufficient bio-sensor signals (but the alarm        will fail safe trigger at the end of the alarm window to wake        the user—see also the conditions where the user is wake or        absent)    -   The user sets the smart alarm—if the user forgets or doesn't set        it or doesn't set it up correctly, the smart alarm will not        activate (unless the smart alarm is on a daily, weekly or other        repeat cycle)    -   The user activates a sleep session—if the user doesn't start a        sleep session, the smart alarm will not activate    -   In order to wake user at an appropriate phase of sleep, the user        should be asleep up to and during the smart alarm window—if user        is awake or absent the smart alarm will default to immediate        activation i.e. no smarts just alarm    -   Volume is set sufficiently high to wake the user—if the volume        has been turned down then the amplitude of the alarm may not be        sufficient to wake the user (unless the smart alarm is        configured to override the volume setting).    -   Alarm scheduling is set up correctly (for example, weekdays,        everyday etc)—if the scheduling is incorrect then the item for        the smart alarm to activate will also be incorrect.    -   Alarm sounds for sufficient length to wake the user—if the alarm        length is too short it may not wake the user. If it doesn't turn        off automatically then it requires user interaction and could        run indefinitely.

A processing methodology for operation of the smart alarm by a processorof the SmD may be considered in reference to FIG. 22. At 2202, theprocessor determines if the current time is within the set wake up alarmwindow. If no at 2203, the alarm flag is set low preventing the alarmfrom sounding. If yes, at 2204 the processor determines with movementdata analysis if the user is present. If no, the alarm flag is set high,thereby sounding the alarm. If present at 2206, the processor determinesif user is awake with movement data analysis and sleep staginginformation. If yes, the alarm flag is set high at 2207 sounding thealarm. If no, the processor determines at 2208 if the user is in a lightsleep stage for a least a certain number of epochs (e.g., 4 or more), ifno, a probability function is evaluated at 2214. Based on theprobability function at 2214 the alarm may be set high at 2215 ormaintained low by returning to the light sleep evaluation at 2208. If inlight sleep for sufficient epochs at 2208, the total sleep time of thesleep session is evaluated at 2210. If sufficient sleep exists (e.g., bycomparing with a threshold of for example, 150 minutes) the probabilityfunction at 2214 will again be evaluated. If sleep is not sufficient at2210, the end of alarm window time will be evaluated at 2211. If at endof the alarm window the alarm flag is set high at 2212 sounding alarm.If not, the alarm flag will be set low at 2213 and process will returnto 2208 or 2210.

At 2214 the evaluation of the probability function provides a randomisedtime delay aiming to avoid waking the user at the same time everymorning. The probability of the alarm triggering with the function willincrease with time. A threshold of the process at 2214 is set as afunction of the start of the alarm window (this value is relative to thestart of the recording session e.g., 600 epochs from the beginning ofthe night), and may be for example:

threshold=modulus(startAlarmWindow,10)

The variable is obtained by monitoring the current Epoch as follows:

${{current}\mspace{14mu} {probabilty}\mspace{14mu} {vale}} = {\left( \frac{\begin{matrix}{{currentEpoch} -} \\{startAlarmWindow}\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}{{endAlarmWindow} -} \\{startAlarmWindow}\end{matrix}} \right)^{2} \times 10}$

If this current probability value is below the previously definedthreshold, we can set the alarm flag high otherwise it will remain low.Other randomizers may be employed at 2214.

FIG. 23 illustrates the function at 2214. The plot above the curved linerepresents the varying probability function while the horizontal linerepresents a fixed threshold. This threshold is randomized by the factthat the startAlarmWindow value will vary from night to night. This isflat randomization, all values for the threshold are equally probable.The variable could be linear and the smart alarm would also have a flatprobability of firing. To skew the data toward the end of the night, thevariable is quadratic. Preferably, this probability function isevaluated once the processor has detected that the user has obtained atleast 2.5 hours of sleep, 4 epochs of light sleep, and the subject isnot already awake. Other suitable minimums may be applied.

Software Example Embodiment—Sleep Analysis Feedback Sleep Score, Mindand Body Recharge

It is normal to have about 5% wakefulness during the night. All stagesof sleep are important. However, a balance of deep, light and REM sleepis needed to feel at our best in the morning. Processing may beperformed by the system herein in order to provide feedback to a userconcerning the quality of their sleep. This may be provided as a sleepscore, a mental recharge indicator and/or a body/physical rechargeindicator. Such feedback may be considered generally with reference tothe examples of FIGS. 24, 25 a and 25 b.

There can be three scores; overall, mind and body recharge scores. Thesecan be determined or calculated, such as by the SmD device, with theRM20 library processing. The normative parameters, from which the scoresmay be based, may be located in the normative database which has beengenerated for the advice engine and reside in the cloud servers. Anextensible normative database has been generated for the Advice Engine.It may be derived from the mean and standard deviations (in percentageterms) for the sleep parameters that are measured across a broadpopulation with 120 breakdowns including age and sex, for example. Thesenormative values may optionally be enhanced or updated by the inclusionof a user's own data. A user's score for each element may be calculated.This may be done by comparing a measured sleep parameter for that userwith the normal distribution for a person of that age and sex. The scorefor each of these factors is obtained by comparing a user's sleepfactors with those of the general population (normative data). Forexample, if a user gets less sleep than most people of their age andgender then they will get a low score for sleep duration (e.g., 7/40).

It is desirable to provide such feedback so that it is (a) Easy to seeconnection between sleep score, nights sleep, body and mind charge; (b)Easy to represent visually; (c) Aligns with normative database in AdviceEngine; (d) Built in comparison to norms; (e) Easily extensible to makesleep tab a set of buttons lining to more data on each parameter.

Sleep Score

Following a night's sleep it is useful to be able to provide a user withsome feedback on the measurements made on their sleep. The sleep scoreis one of the mechanisms to meet this need. In some cases, a sleep scoremay be derived from an unbounded equation that tries to weight differentmeasured sleep parameters so as to produce a number that somehowreflects how a person has slept. The reason the equation is unbounded isto allow for the user to exceed a ‘norm’ and that somehow this issomething that the user can respond to positively. However, users may befound to be confused by a score exceeding 100, and alternativeapproaches can be implemented. Thus, in some versions, a sleep score mayrepresent the quality of the user's sleep and it may be a value on ascale of 0 through 100. It can be presented as a representation of thedifferent stages of sleep. The sleep score may compile a series ofadditive elements with each element being associated with a sleepparameter that is measured. A user's score for each element iscalculated. This can be done by using the user's data alone or incomparison with previous sleep data of the same user. Alternatively,this can be done by comparing what is measured as a sleep parameter forthat user against the normal distribution for a person of that age andsex. The further a person is from the norm the more their score drops(allowing for a range of values one standard deviation from the normalmean for each parameter). In the case of a measurement like REM, adeviation from the norm can be both positive and negative to reflect thefact that too little and too much REM can be problematic.

Some of the parameters are weighted more than others. Parameters likeDeep, Rem and Total Sleep time may have a higher weighting than Onset,Light and No. of Awakenings. Scores may be based on a weighted summationof one or more of the following six bins: Bin 1: Sleep Onset; Bin 2:Light Sleep; bin 3: Total Sleep Time (Tst); Bin 4: Deep Sleep; Bin 5:REMSleep; Bin 6: Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO). These may be consideredwith reference to the graphs of FIGS. 26-31. These graphs eachillustrate a function to relate the measured value with respect to thenormative value (vertical line) for determining the portion of theparticular contribution to the sleep score.

In the example, the sleep score may be a value out of 100 whichrepresents the quality of sleep. Six sleep factors contribute towardsthis score, each contributing different amounts, see Table SS below. Thespecific contribution of each factor to the overall score can beobtained on the basis of general population (normative) data and may beindependent of the user's sleep data. The below values are examples thatmay be modified in some embodiments.

Table SS. Factors contributing to sleep score.

Total sleep time (TST) 40 Deep sleep time 20 REM sleep time 20 Lightsleep time 5 Wake after sleep onset (WASO) time 10 Sleep onset (time tofall asleep) 5 Total 100

The user's score for each of these factors is obtained by comparing eachsleep factor with those of the general population. For example, if auser gets less sleep than most people of the same age and gender thenthey will get a low score for sleep duration (e.g. 7/40). Thus, thesleep score may be: Sleep Duration: A maximum of 40/100 towards thesleep score; Deep Sleep: A maximum of 20/100 towards the sleep score;Rem Sleep: A maximum of 20/100 towards the sleep score; Light Sleep: Amaximum of 5/100 towards the sleep score; Wake during the night: Amaximum of 10/100 towards the sleep score; Sleep onset (time to fallasleep): A maximum of 5/100 towards the sleep score.

These six factors divide into two different groups, positive andnegative. This reflects the behaviour of the score. The positive scoresbegin at zero and increase to X. For example, the sleep duration scorebegins at zero, as you get more sleep the score increases. With sleeponset the score begins at five and decreases as the duration of sleeponset increases.

-   -   Positive: TST, deep sleep, REM sleep and light sleep.    -   Negative: WASO and sleep onset.        Studies have shown that too much REM can have a detrimental        effect on sleep quality. For this reason too little or too much        REM sleep will result in a low REM score. As seen by the        function in FIG. 29, the REM score starts at zero and increases        to 20 as the amount of REM sleep increases. After the score        reaches 20 it then begins to decrease slowly in order to reflect        the negative affect of too much REM on sleep quality. ‘Bins’ for        each sleep factor are calculated using probability        distributions.

To obtain a sleep score, the sum of the products of each bin with itsassociated weight and the total weight (sum of all individual weights)provides the score for each sleep factor, Table SS. Body and mind scoremay also be provided, based on deep sleep and REM respectively, TableSS.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the sleep score may be displayed by the SmDas a number (in this case this is the number 54). Time totals for thedifferent sleep stages may also be displayed. FIGS. 25a and 25billustrate a display of the SmD showing a breakdown of the sleep scoregiven the factors of table SS showing a comparison of the achieved scorein relation to the achievable (normative) score. The pie graph alsoillustrates the breakdown of the score. The pie charts generated givethe user a clear graphical breakdown of the users total sleep score.Moving around the periphery of the pie chart, the segments of eachcircle are fixed according to the contributions of Table SS. Eachsegment is then filled in radial direction progressively by animation,from the center outwards—according to the achieved score for therespective sleep factor. For example, in FIG. 25a , the bright whitesegment indicating the sleep factor “Duration of sleep” takes 40% of theentire 360 circle periphery (as per Table SS) and is filled in slightlymore than half (22 out of 40) based on the ratio of the user's durationof sleep when compared to a normative value obtained from the generalpopulation.

These may be considered a morning report to inform the user on how theyslept the night before, giving them an overall score as well as one forbody and mind charge as portrayed in the hypnogram and radial piecharts. A radial pie chart can provide such a graphical breakdown of thesleep score.

Recharge

In some versions of determining a “mental recharge” and “physicalrecharge” as well as detailed sleep analysis, the following signalprocessing can be performed: (a) Sleep latency estimation and/or (b) REMsleep separation.

The biomotion sensor of the BeD discussed above is capable of detectionof movement—both gross body movement and the movement of the chest (of ahuman or animal such as a dog, horse, cow, etc.) due to thephysiological action of breathing. Alternative examples includeinfra-red- or accelerometer-based devices. Groups of algorithms can beused to distinguish fiducial patterns in both time and frequency domainrepresentations of the sensor signal, and provide an output of theprobability of being in a particular sleep stage (wake or absent) aspreviously discussed. A filter bank and associated signal processingblock is used to separate higher frequency movement signals and thosesignals representing the motion of the chest.

For (a)—sleep latency estimation (i.e., the time to sleep measure) isfor example used to fade out the sound sequence, an aspect that can beimplemented in the discussed ‘relax to sleep’ feature: The desiredoutput is to detect the change from wakefulness to “stage 1” light sleepand to calculate a sleep latency (time to sleep) parameter. Stage 1sleep can be considered to be the transition period between wakefulnessand sleep. For example, time to sleep may be determined by the SmDprocessor as the time the user activates the “relax to sleep” feature orinitiates a sleep session to the time that the system detects an initialsleep state. Some specific parameters that may be estimated and analysedrelate to the frequency, amplitude, and “burstiness” (occurring inbursts) of higher frequency (faster) movements as a subject moves fromwakefulness to the twilight stage of stage 1 sleep. The combined natureof movement pattern and breathing rate value and waveform shape may beused to classify sleep onset. Over time, the system may adapt to subjectspecific data in order to increase the accuracy of this classification(e.g., the typical baseline breathing rate and amount of movement of thesubject—i.e., how much the move around in bed/fidget as they are fallingasleep) may be learned and employed in the estimation process.

For (b)—REM sleep separation: Classification knowledge of a subjectspecific and population average of breathing rate and waveform shape(morphological processing) may be used to capture a baseline wakefulnesssignal type. This may be characterized by a regularly irregular orirregularly irregular breathing rate (increased information content),and sporadic movement bursts (i.e., during wake). The regularity(reduced information content) is used as a secondary benchmark state.REM sleep is separated by a marked change in movement frequency,intensity and burstiness as compared to the wake state. In addition, REMsleep is paradoxically denoted by breathing features similar to thoseseen by the subject during the wake state.

It should also be noted that during REM sleep, a lower level of movementflags may be observed than during wake periods. Thresholds can adapt tothe analysed subject data under inspection. In some cases, thethresholds can adapt based on subject specific historical data stored ina database (e.g., if a subject had an elevated baseline breathing rateor unusual breathing dynamics, the system would still be able to extractsleep stage information for that subject). In other examples, thethresholds can adapt based on population average values of respirationdynamics. Optionally, the relative inspiration/expiration respiratorywaveform can be considered in the analysis block as another measure ofregularity of the signal.

The REM algorithm may use a time/frequency methodology for extraction ofthe respiratory and movement signals known as discrete wavelet analysisto “decompose” the signal epochs. This can either replace or augmentprocesses such as an approximate entropy measure.

If body temperature measurements are available (either contact ornon-contact sensing), these can be introduced into the system in anearly integration or late integration fashion to augment the sleepstaging decision.

If audio recording is available, the system can optionally detectcharacteristic patterns of snoring, snuffling, coughing or breathingdifficulties in the non-contact motion movement and respirationpatterns. Optionally, sound can be detected by a microphone, andanalyzed in conjunction with the non-contact sensor and/or the bodytemperature measurements. The system can provide an analysis of the dataunder analysis, and trend over multiple nights. As discussed herein,specific audio events can also be detected.

“Recharge” may also be related to the proportion of deep sleep(“physical recharge”) and REM sleep (“mental recharge”) that arerecorded during the night. The user see a physical recharge and mentalrecharge score based on their comparative level of these sleep statesversus population norms for their age (and also linked to theirperceived feeling the next day, and based on their past sleepperformance). Thus, the system provides the user with an overview oftheir level or rate of physical recharge (indicated by the amount ofobtained deep sleep) & mental recharge (indicated by the amount ofobtained REM sleep) as represented by the level of charge of two batterytype indicators (i.e. Mind and Body batteries). Data may be viewableover a day, week, month or longer time-scales. This could be enabled bydisplaying a summary of sleep data (for example represented by, such as,a hypnograph, pie chart, sleep score) on a smart device (e.g., cellphone or tablet) or on a PC.

Thus, the level of recharge may be relayed to the user during or afterthe users sleep session in an easy to understand way. This may beimplemented by UI (user interface) of the SmD with animated graphicsshowing sleep and mind re-charge values. For example, as seen in FIG. 24a mind recharge indicator 2404 shows a percentage of mind recharge and abody recharge indicator 2402 shows a percentage of body recharge. Aspreviously mentioned, body and mind recharge score may be based on deepsleep time and REM time respectively, in accordance with thecalculations described in relation to Table SS.

However, in some versions, the three sleep scores may be given by thefollowing:

Overall Sleep Score (%):((0.5×bin1+0.5×bin2+4×bin3+2×bin4+2×bin5+bin6))*10)

Mind Charge Score (%): (bin5)×100

Body Charge Score (%): (bin4)×100

All three scores may be bounded between[0,100] %. The bin# may be any ofthe sleep related parameters such as the parameters of table SS.Additionally, these weightings (multiplication factors) can bere-weighted in a dynamic manner to account for different user behaviour(for example by adjusting the weighting). Each of the six measured sleepparameters above from the user are measured and compared against thenormative database for a user of that age and sex. For example, if themeasurement is within one standard deviation of the mean, that bin maybe filled. Otherwise its distance from the interval is calculated (thisyields a number between 0 and 1) and the bin is filled with theappropriate amount. The overall sleep-score is calculated as the sum ofthe weight bins giving you a number between 0 and 100%.

Software Specific Embodiment—Sleep Trend (Correlator)

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the system may provide feedback concerningsleep trends. Sleep Trends provides a graphical view of results the‘app’ or SmD device has generated for the user over time overlayed withvariables affected by user that the user can change. These can be viewedon various devices; an example of this would be a smart device/PC,website. The graphs can represent input from data processed after asleep recording. Other data may require further processing before it canbe inputted into the sleep trend analysis such as % of time in bed thatwas sleep. Other data provided in the pre-sleep questionnaire, that canprompt the user on a nightly basis for daytime sleep relatedinformation, can also be included such as caffeine consumption. Inresponse to the questionnaire, users may input amount of caffeine drankduring a day, amount of exercise, stress etc. As identified in FIG. 32,the historic trend display of information may include any one or more ofsleep score, mind score/recharge, body score/recharge, deep sleep time,light sleep time, REM sleep time, total time asleep, time to fallasleep, % time in bed that was sleep, total time in bed, ambient soundlevel, ambient light level, ambient temperature level, ambient airpollution level, number of sleep disruptions, amount of caffeineconsumed, amount of exercise, amount of alcohol consumed, and/or stresslevel. These latter four factors may be determined by the SmD device ina pre-sleep questionnaire prompting the user to provide the information.If air quality, humidity or other sensors, or heart rate values areavailable or otherwise implemented, information from these may beincluded.

All of the information that the process uses may be stored in the memoryof SmD over time so the access to information is very convenient.Moreover, a user may select, such as with a user interface generated bya processor, any two or more of the different monitored information so adisplay showing their temporal association or temporal correlation maybe generated by a processor for viewing such as on the SmD or from awebpage of the cloud service. Such a trend plotting of information mayinclude, for example:

-   -   Selectable Graphs for results from app (Sleep Score, Amount of        REM Sleep etc.)

overlaid by graphs of user driven variables (caffeine drank, exerciseetc.)

-   -   Scalability of graphs to show variable time scales    -   Graphical design to make it easy to use and read without        appearing too complicated to naive users.    -   Efficient layout to make it easy to read and make the graph as        large and easy to read as possible.    -   Graphs of variables that line up with how the advice engine uses        these same variables (e.g. if the advice engine uses an average        from the night of light and temperature then the graphs may show        an average).

A user of such a trend plotting feature can gain new insight by plottingdifferent variables. For example, a user interface for a correlationprocess can present the user with the option to select to plot alcoholconsumption (from nightly questionnaire) and change in REM sleep overtime. It could also display all advice given by the system on REM sleepto the user for easy reference. A user could then see that, for example,a reduction or cessation of alcohol consumption is associated with anincrease of REM sleep duration. They might also see that they had beengiven correct advice about the impact of alcohol consumption on REMsleep quality (if such a nugget had been provided to them with thatcontent). Similarly, daily caffeine consumption may be plotted intemporal association with daily sleep information (e.g., total sleeptime and/or deep sleep time) so that a user may visibly see the changesthat different amounts of caffeine consumption may have on sleepinformation over time.

Software Example Embodiment—Relax to Sleep

Some versions of the present technology may include a “relax to sleep”process. Generally, a user's breathing rate BR can be captured by abiomotion sensor in a device (e.g., BeD). Music or other sound can beplayed as a function of a predetermined maximum rate (measured inbreaths per minute (BPM)). That is, the time length of the sound file isset so that it will match a desired breath time length. After an initialperiod during which the system captures the user's breathing rate, themusic can be aligned with the measured breathing rate of the user. Thenew/adjusted BPM of the music when played will be tuned to the user'sbreathing rate. If the users breathing rate is greater than the maximumbreathing rate then the music can initially be set at the maximum rate.In some cases, the music BPM may follow a predetermined reductionpathway.

Background—Entrained Reduction of Breathing Rate to Guide the User toSleep

Thus, one aspect of the proposed system and method provides relaxationtechniques that help the user to get to sleep by producing calmingsounds, the nature, volume and rhythm of which may be chosen by the useror adjusted automatically to help the user change their own breathingrhythms (i.e., a relaxation programme customised to the user's breathingpattern). This is the ‘relax-to-sleep’ feature which is activated/chosenby the user.

The premise is that a pleasant, cyclic sound acts like a metronome andthe user's breathing rate would tend to synchronise with that soundrate. Such a process may be considered in reference to FIG. 33a . Acontactless sensor can give real-time feedback on both breathing rateand awake/sleep status. The sensor feedback could be used to control thesound's cyclic rate, gradually slowing it down. If the subject'sbreathing rate is “captured”, slowing the breathing rate down couldrelax the subject and hasten the onset of sleep. Once the user is deemednot to be awake, the audio volume could be turned off. The soothingsound volume can also be reduced to zero gradually, rather than suddenlyas the sudden change in audio environment could re-awake the subject.

The Relax to Sleep feature may use a spot or continuous respirationanalysis. For example, a respiration determination function of the RM20process (algorithm) can be accessed once at the beginning of a relax tosleep process, to facilitate the selection of the starting repetitionrate of the calming sound chosen by the user (out of a selection ofseveral sound files provided by the app of the SmD or from a musiclibrary). Thus, the system can track the breathing pattern, and modulatethe sound files such as only at the beginning of the feature and thenadjust the sound according to a set pattern (such as described below).The idea is that the user naturally entrains their breathing to thesound pattern, but is not directed to do so. This differs from ameditation feature which may more actively direct the user to breath ata specific rate to relax, which requires conscious engagement with thedevice thus keeping the user awake.

After the initial ‘capture’ of breathing rate to set the modulation(audio playback rate) rate to an initial value, the breathing rate mightnot be tracked and the system may proceed with a reduction in themodulation frequency (audio BPM) along a predetermined curve to aminimum lower value (BPM). The frequency of modulation may then bereduced in step wise manner to reach the desired lower value (e.g., sixbreaths per minute). This reduction encourages the user to reduce theirbreathing rate and thus enter a more relaxed state to fall asleep moreeasily. The step wise function allows the user some time to consolidatetheir breathing rate at a particular playback rate. Once the systemdetects that the user is not awake it optionally reduces the volume ofthe sound to zero in a fashion which doesn't wake the user, such as by agradual shutdown rather than an abrupt silence.

The implementation of such a process may include:

(1) Selectable high quality sound files (e.g., file type is AAC);

(2) option to download additional sound files;

(3) a user interface to select and play the different sound files;

(4) volume control, returns to default value if the feature completes oruser stops it; Return volume to default value if user interacts with Appduring session

(5) routing of audio to speakers (external if connected or integrated);

(6) a measure of real-time breathing;

(7) a maximum playtime (e.g., 60 minutes from the time the minimumbreathing rate is reached).

In a particular example, the maximum modulation frequency can be 14BPM.The default BPM play rate function may follow a stepped reduction (inBPM): 14 to 12 to 10 to 8 to 6. However, if the process returns a valueof 11.5 BPM, such as from the detection of breathing rate, for example,this then changes the measured frequency and from there it resumes thestep wise reduction by 2BPMs. In the discussed case, this will result inthe following change (in BPM): 14 to 11.5 to 9.5 to 7.5 to 6. The jumpsor steps from the penultimate rate to the minimum rate (e.g., 6 BPM) canbe less than the 2 BPM step of the previous example. The maximum ratemay be for example, 14 BPM. If the user is detected to be breathing at agreater rate than 14BPM, the process might not increase the playbackrate of the sound sample to match the user's breathing rate, but maymaintain the playback rate at the predetermined max (e.g., 14 BPM) andstart the rate reduction function from there. The minimum reduced ratecan be 6 BPM. If the user is determined to be breathing at a less thanthe predetermined minimum rate, the process may start the playback atthe predetermined minimum rate (e.g., 6 BPM). This can lead directly toa period of play (e.g., 10 minute) at the minimum 6 BPM rate (i.e.additional time may be added (e.g., 2 minutes) at this minimum rate).The total playtime is variable but may be for example approximately 60minutes. The full length may depend on when and if the algorithm detectsa breathing rate.

The above example process may be considered in reference to themethodology of FIG. 33b . At 3301 a music/sound play process isinitiated by a user selecting the relax to sleep operation of the SmD.Initially, a sound file is repeatedly played as an initial rate (e.g.,14 BPM), for example by playing the sound file 14 repetitions perminute. At 3302, during playing of the sound file respiration ismeasured. At 3303, the detected rate is evaluated to ensure a valid rateis detected. If the rate is in a range (e.g., 14 to 6 BPM) the soundfile's period is adjusted so that it may be played repeatedly so as toconform to the detected rate. The sound may undergo further processingto ensure that the pitch of the sounds in the sound file issubstantially maintained, in order to sound natural. If the detecteduser rate is invalid, the initial music BPM is maintained. If thedetected rate is below the range, the sound period of the file isadjusted so that it may be played at a rate conforming to the minimum ofthe range. At 3304 the sound file is played at the period determined at3303. At 3305, a two minute timer interval is permitted to run whileplaying of the sound file is repeated. At 3306, the current sound fileplay rate is checked to determine if the current rate of the sound fileis greater than a minimum. If it is greater, at 3307, the rate isreduced by a step amount (e.g., 2 BPM) by increasing the sound fileperiod while maintaining pitch. This reduction of rate has a floor ofthe minimum from the range (e.g., 6BMP). Repeated playback of themodified sound file then returns at 3304. If at 3306 the rate hasreached its minimum of the range, playing of the sound file willcontinue for an additional period (e.g., 10 minutes) at 3308. At 3309,sleep information from the sensor analysis is evaluated to determine ifthe user is not awake or if a maximum play time has been reached. Ifnot, a further period runs (e.g., 5 minutes) at 3310 before checkingagain at 3309. If asleep or the maximum time has been reached, at 3311 avolume reduction process is initiated. Volume may be progressivelyreduced, e.g., by a predetermined proportion (e.g., 10%) over severalintervals (e.g. 10 minutes) until the sound volume is zero or off.

In another example, the sequence may follow these steps:

-   -   a. User selects Relax option    -   b. Audio is played at the default breathing rate of 14 breaths        per minute (maximum available) while waiting for the RM20        algorithm to return a valid breathing rate.    -   c. The maximum time the SmD App will wait for the RM20 algorithm        to return a valid value is 4 minutes. There are two        possibilities therefore: i) the algorithm returns a valid value        within this time or ii) it does not. In the former case steps 4        to 10 (below) are executed in order. In the latter case, i.e.        where the algorithm does not return a valid value, step 4 is        skipped and only steps 5 to 10 are executed.    -   d. Once the algorithm returns the users breathing rate, jump to        that breathing rate (this allows the user to hear that the        detected breathing rate/simple feedback). Remain at this rate        for 2 minutes.    -   e. Reduce playback rate by 2 breaths every 2 minutes until the        minimum rate of 6 breaths per minute is reached.    -   f. When the minimum breathing rate is reached remain at this        rate for 10 minutes.    -   g. At the end of this 10 minute period, check every 5 minutes if        the user is awake. If the user is deemed not to be awake at any        5 minute check point ramp down the volume of sound by 10% every        minute for 10 minutes.    -   h. To facilitate an approximate playtime of 60 minutes, after a        50-minute period, if the user is still awake, reduce sound by        10% every minute for 10 minutes.    -   i. On completion, close feature (and return to sleep screen if        in night mode)

As previously described, each time a sound file rate change is needed,the sound file period (time length) is adjusted (longer to slow the rateand short to increase the rate) while maintaining the sound file'spitch. By playing it repeatedly, it will have the desired rate. Changesto the sound file may be implemented by a stretcher function that caneither stretch or compress the audio file length so as to effect theperiod change. The term “stretcher function” is used to represent bothstretching and compressing depending on whether the source file is beingplayed back slowly (stretching or lengthening) or faster (compressing orshortening).

For example: The original sound files may be recorded to be suitable fora playback rate of 7 BPM. The sound files may provide various calmingsounds such as sounds from nature, for example, the sound of the seashore and instrumental recordings. The ratio of the exhalation cue(exhalation portion of the sound file) to inhalation cue (inhalationportion of the sound file) can be set to a predetermined fixed ratio(preferably at about 1:1.4) in all files. This ratio may remain evenwhen the period of the sound file is adjusted. This ratio was determinedthrough experimentation with real subjects to give a more naturalguidance.

The stretching process library includes algorithms implemented tostretch the time of the audio files while keeping the pitch equivalentto the original audio file. An example is the commercially availableDIRAC system or other digital signal processing implementation, which isa time stretching algorithm. It is a time stretching technology whichallows changes to the speed of playback of the audio file (whilemaintaining the sampling playback rate), in this regard to increase orreduce the sound files to match the breathing rate of the user which canthen be entrained to reduce the users breathing rate. It keeps the audiofile sounding natural.

The stretcher process can run in real time in the application of theSmD. It can be applied to all the sound files to stretch or contract thetime of the audio files, to play at the rate desired. The 7BPM rate ofthe original sound file can be maintained by setting a stretching value(a software function parameter) of 1 which is passed into the library sono altering of the file takes place. This is how the 7 BPM file remainsat this ‘unaltered’ rate. A stretching value other than one is fed intothe library to alter the sound.

Other Implementations

Different versions for playing sound to entrain user to relaxedbreathing for sleep may be implemented. Any of the following featuresmay be included in the system and method, either separately or incombination:

-   -   (1) Reproducing predetermined sounds to guide the user by        encouraging an adjustment in the user's breathing rate/rhythm,        to facilitate the user's transition to sleep;    -   (2) Tracking the user's breathing pattern whilst generating        calming sounds (selected from a range of sounds according to the        user's personal preference) that help slowing the user's        breathing rhythm (modulation of breathing) in order to assist        the user's transition to sleep more. Parameters, such as the        nature, the volume, rhythm etc. of the users environment (light,        sound and temperature), may be adjusted depending on the        detected breathing patterns. For white-noise type sound file,        this can be set to either persist or turn off. The sound may        also include a single frequency sound that varies in frequency        and/or volume. Such variations of the sensory output provided to        the user (such as of the rhythm of a particular sound or the        colour of light) are aimed at “entraining” the user's breathing        rate and bringing it down together with the respective frequency        of the changing colour, rhythm, volume etc.    -   (3) The range and the loudness of the sounds can be chosen to        drown out other noises and clear the user's mind of        distractions. Input may be provided based on the detected        ambient noise level of the room environment.    -   (4) As sound preferences are highly personal, the user is made        practical, helpful suggestions over a number of nights by the        system, and is enabled to select optimal sounds on the basis of        their own preference. For example, the SmD may detect which        sound file induce sleep onset faster (e.g., on average) and        inform the user.    -   (4) One or more sensors, preferably wireless, may be used to        monitor the user's breathing rate and/or other physiological        parameters. These sensors provide feedback to the controller        that drives the sound and/or light input provided to the user.        The system detects when a user starts to fall asleep and by        adjusting the audio pattern it assists in adjusting the user's        breathing. The sound is automatically faded off when the user        falls asleep.

The switching off of the sound in the “relax to sleep”/“breath to sleep”function is possible for ending the “relax to sleep” session. Once thesystem detects that the user is not awake it can reduce the volume ofthe sound to zero. The notion that the user is deemed not to be awakemay in some versions be based on a reduction in movement levels (bothintensity and duration) being detected and normalization of breathingand/or based on processes as discussed with respect to the RM20 library.This example test can be taken as a trigger for initiating a volume rampdown over a ten minute period. After these 10 minutes, the sound cansimply be turned off in a fashion that does not wake the user, a gradualshutdown rather than an abrupt silence is possible.

It is important to note that the switching off of sound in an ‘assistedmeditation’ process (also referred to as a daytime relax process) maydiffer from the ‘relax to sleep’ process that is intended to assist theuser with their night time sleep routine. For example, one differencemay be that the relax process does not detect that the user is asleepbefore it initiates the sound volume reduction process. In the case ofrelax to sleep—the user's breathing and movement levels may be assessedevery 5 minutes to evaluate them as awake or not awake. The volume rampdown can be initiated at any of these five minute checkpoints when theuser is deemed not awake. When the user's breathing rate remains levelfor 10 minutes, after the minimum targeted breathing rate is achieved,the reduction of the sound can be implemented by, for example:

At the end of this 10 minute period, check every 5 minutes if the useris awake. If the user is deemed not to be awake at any 5 minute checkpoint ramp down the volume of sound by 10% every minute for 10 minutes.

Returning now to the feature of initiating adjustment to the user'sbreathing rate/rhythm, the feature is associated with the fact that thebreathing pattern of an anxious or stressed person can be shallow andrapid, with the upper chest and neck muscles being used for breathing,instead of the abdominal muscles. With traditional respiratorybiofeedback, chest and the abdomen sensor belts enable the breathingpattern to be visualized on a computer screen, thus allowing the user toslow down their breathing rate, and focus on deep breathing. The systemsof the present technology may achieve additional respiration biofeedbackby instructing the user to pace their breathing based on graphical,other video and/or audio cues with parameters that may be associated,but are not identical, with the user's breathing parameters with adisplay on the SmD. The user need not actually monitor their breathing,but a pattern with externally defined parameters. The cues are sensory,but preferably contactless, and may include light or sound with a strongpattern (e.g., wave or surf sounds, sounds from nature or instrumentalrecordings), modulated such that the user subconsciously entrains theirbreathing to the respective pattern.

Returning to FIG. 33a , another such process may be further described asfollows. The current subject's breathing rate is estimated using thebiomotion sensor and processing the data by way of a time and frequencybased analysis to calculate the user breathing rate. As described in theabove, a rule set is used to distinguish fiducial patterns in thesignals, and provide an output stage. A filter bank and associatedsignal processing block is used to separate higher frequency movementsignals and those signals representing the motion of the chest. Theprimary breathing frequency can be located using a Fourier transform,and tracked at, for example, 15 or 30 second intervals. Calculation ofthe spectral content of the signal is performed using a Fast Fouriertransform and find peak (frequency domain) or via time-frequencyprocessing such as using the discretized wavelet transform, appropriatebasis selection, and peak find. The residual low frequency componentsmay also be processed to determine longer timescale trends. Arespiration rate vector (1 Hz) may be processed.

The process may further create an adaptive baseline for a user, and lookat breathing rate parameters such as median, mean, interquartile range,skewness, kurtosis, min and max breathings rates over a period of time(e.g., 24 hours), and is primarily (but not exclusively) targeted at thetimes when a person is asleep (or in bed). In this manner, the systemmay analyze and track the breathing rate, and the variation of breathingrate. In addition, the inspiration and expiration waveform shape, andshort, medium and long term breathing fluctuations may be tracked.

Once the user breathing rate is calculated, audio and/or video cues areprovided to the user based on the calculated rate. Alternatively, theaudio and/or video cues can be provided to the user based not on acalculated, but on a predetermined rate, based on statistical data fromthis user, from other users of from statistical data obtained from thegeneral population with no association to the device. The visual andsound cues are adapted to guide the user to a low and stable breathingrate. For example, this could be 6-9 breaths per minute for a typicaluser, but could be in the range 2-25 br/min, adapting to the detectedbreathing rate/amount of movement of the subject. For practical stressreduction, the highest suggested breathing rate target is 14 br/min. Thelight/sound sequence is created such that it gradually brings the user'sbreathing rate to a target level, adaptively set based on breathing rateand breathing rate trend information. Optionally, if the user isobserved by the system to be unable to adjust and capture their ratebelow 20 br/min, this may indicate that the user is unwell or sufferingfrom a respiratory issue and this may be brought to the user's attentionin the form of a risk assessment report which is available online orthrough the smart device and can be saved as a PDF and used as the basisof a discussion with the users practitioner. A full sleep pattern reportis available from the smart device or online. It may be presented in theform of a histogram. The sleep score is a mechanism employed torepresent the feedback on the users sleep pattern following a sleepsession.

Further Example

A subject is monitored over 30s and is detected (“captured”) asbreathing at 17 breaths per minute. As discussed earlier in the text,the detection is achieved by the filtering and spectral and/or timedomain analysis of the biomotion signal to isolate the breathingcomponent.

Let's assume that the user is using the system for the first time, andhas no “history” or trend data available. An audio sound file isgenerated at a target rate of, for example 14 or 15 breaths/min, whichshould be 5%-20%, more specifically 10%-20%, i.e. 10%, below thecaptured rate. In some cases, the starting rate may be confined between12 and 14 B/min respectively. If no suitable breathing signal could beestimated, a default starting rate of 10-14 br/min may be selected. Ifhistorical user data was available, the average rate after 2 minutes ofexposure to the modulated light or sound, is read from the database(data store) and used as the initial estimate value.

The particular sound sequence used can vary, but in one example is basedon the sounds of a wave breaking on a beach; the sound file can bestretched and squashed (compressed) to give other cyclic rates, withoutthe pitch content being altered.

Once the sound/music is played to the user at the initial rate,consciously or subconsciously, the subject begins to match theirbreathing rate to the provided reference rate. The system then slowlydecreases the targeting breathing rate cue to a target breathing rate of6 breaths/min (could be in the range 10-3 br/min, but 6 br/min iscalming to many subjects as tested) over 10 minutes. The decrease can begradual or stepwise. The system is switched off if light sleep isdetected. The reduction in volume ceases if the user is not detected asfalling asleep. In this case, the system will turn off after apredetermined amount of time, say one hour.

In one embodiment, it may initiate a sound ramp down after 50 minutes toturn off the sound by 60 minutes. The system may keep checking every 5minutes between the following times; from ten minutes after targetbreathing rate has been reached until ten minutes before the soundvolume must be turned off in order to complete the programme tofacilitate maximum playtime. Upon completion the feature is closed andthe application returns to the sleep screen.

The sensor feedback is used for monitoring if the user breathing ratefollows the audio and/or visual cues and slows down together with them.The reduction in breathing rate is designed to be smooth in nature(i.e., no sudden jumps), and to be a predetermined % below the captured(detected) rate. However, there may be an exception if the detected userbreathing rate stabilizes at a higher than the desired rate, or ifsuddenly increases to a previous high rate. For example, if the user hadbeen breathing at 17 breaths/min, and guided down to 13 breaths/min, butsuddenly their rate speeded up to 25 breaths/min, the system might nottrack this upwards rate (the faster breathing rate might tend to wake uprather relax the user). Instead, the controller may temporarily halt anychange in the frequency of the audio and/or visual cues and wait untilthe user's rate goes back down to a level close to the last frequency ofthe cues, before the downward change in the frequency of the cues isresumed. Alternatively, the controller may be programmed to increase thecue frequencies so that is the same as the user's increased breathingrate, or is only a predetermined % below it (such as 10%), so as to moreeasily “capture” the user's breathing rate, and start again reducing thefrequency from there.

The system may be programmed to run in this mode for between 2 and 20minutes, depending on the rate of change, and then stop, regardless ofthe user's response. The lack of success for such a predetermined timemay indicate that the user has specific difficulty with following theguiding sounds and that the continuation of the process may disturb,rather than assist, the user in falling asleep.

In another implementation, a sound sample of waves on a beach isselected that has a cyclic rate of 5 seconds (the equivalent of 12breaths/min) The sound file can be stretched and squashed to give othercyclic rates, without the pitch content being altered.

The sound files may be incorporated into a simple app process thatobtains the real time breathing rate and sleep status for feedback froma unit incorporating an RF biomotion sensor. The application may outputvarious parameters to a CSV (comma separated value) file for postanalysis. Returning again to FIG. 33a , the iteration process indicatedthere may include the following:

1. The cyclic sound is to lead the subject's actual breathing ratedownwards towards a target breathing rate. The values of offset andepoch lengths cited below are starting points and may be amended by wayof experimentation.

a) The default target is 6 breaths per minute breathing rate (BR), butthe GUI (graphical user interface) is to have a user settable target BR.

b) The cyclic sound is to have a BR of 0.5 breaths per minute less thanthe subject's current epoch-average BR, i.e., to lead it downwardstowards the target. This offset value can be set in advance orempirically defined by way of test session determining an optimumstarting difference from the user's breathing rate.

c) The cyclic sound BR is to be updated (i.e., next switch up or down)on an epoch basis.

d) Start conditions: assume a BR of 13 breaths per minute for the cyclicsound. Monitor the subject's BR for 4 epochs and match the cyclic soundto the subject's BR minus the offset after this 4 epoch start condition.This is to try and “capture” the subject's BR.

e) During leading the subject's BR downwards, if the subject'sepoch-average BR stays >1 breath per minute above the cyclic sound BRfor >4 epochs, then allow the cyclic sound BR to be moved up to thesubject's current BR minus the offset. This is in order to try and“capture” the subject BR again.

f) The overall amplitude of the cyclic sound is to decrease over timewhen sleep is detected, and the following go-to-sleep logic may beimplemented: once asleep for 10 epochs, reduce original volume by 1/10per epoch, if subject awakes during this period, halt volume reduction,and keep volume level until subject goes to sleep again.

Cycle Variation

In some versions, the device may use single cycle-length sound files,with a short padding in between to prevent click or jump between the endof one file and the start of the next. The cyclic sound files may bepreconfigured in set lengths, equating to BR from 10 to 15 breaths perminute, in 0.5 BR steps (i.e., BR of 10; 10.5, 11.0 etc.). The shortfiles lengths may cause small gaps between the end of one and the startof the next cycle. With this in mind each cyclic file may beconcatenated into continuous sound files that have a whole number ofcycles, but as close to 30 seconds long as possible. This may reduce theincidence of jumps to a minimum. The effect is dependent upon the SmDhardware and may be addressed by appropriate buffering in software(e.g., to promote seamless looping.)

Versions

Various further versions can have one or more of the following features:

-   -   user selectable target breathing rates;    -   capability of selecting different source sound files;    -   limited or full breathing coach logic as specified above;    -   a two-step algorithm logic pattern. The sound cyclic rate can        start at 12BR and remained at that until the subject's breathing        rate touched/reduced to <=12.5BR, then the sound cyclic rate is        reduced to 10BR. More than two steps may also be implemented.    -   Using a constant sound cyclic rate, e.g. 10BR. In this case, the        only use of the real time feedback from the biomotion sensor is        the sleep status feedback to reduce the sound volume.

Saving Data

The data obtained during a relax session may be saved in the form of aCSV file that has the once per second data in 4 columns:

I. Date time stamp.

II. Subject status

III. Subject breathing rate

IV. Sound (target) breathing rate.

The raw biomotion sensor I/Q signal levels can also be saved, at asample rate of 16 samples per second. The data can then be passedthrough application GUI to generate a sleep report. Optionally, the rawdata can be stored in a compressed format, such as “zip” files.

Data Analysis

The data analysis for each subject may be saved in a spreadsheet (Excel)file, one per subject. This can include the first hour of data for eachepoch extracted from the raw data files and then plotted as Subject BR,target BR and Subject sleep Status on one graph. There may be a separategraph for each night.

There may also be a summary Excel file generated that compares theaverage time-to-sleep (sleep latency) under each configuration, plus asummary comment from each subject, where available.

This relax process may optionally be used during the day for shorterperiods to reduce stress/promote relaxation.

The heart rate of the user may also be used in conjunction with thebreathing rate in order to indicate a relaxed state—for example whenthere is a greater coherence (e.g., calculated by time or frequencydomain measure) between the two parameters indicating a more advancedstate of relaxation.

Software Specific Embodiment—Daytime Relax (Assisted Meditation)

As previously mentioned, the system may include a “daytime relax”process similar to the “relax to sleep” process and employing similarfunctionality as previously described. This process may be implementedby the processor of the SmD. This ‘assisted meditation’ process mayinvolve guided breathing exercises which are accompanied by a selectablerange of sounds and/or lights. This is intended for relaxation at anytime, but in particular in the evening approaching bedtime. This relaxfeature may optionally use, but does not need to use, the user'sbreathing rate to set the initial speed of the chosen sound. As there isno requirement for the hardware biomotion sensor to be connected, thefeature can be used anywhere. This relax feature follows similar logicto the Relax-to-Sleep process but with some differences. The ‘relax’breathing rate reduction feature synchronises a ‘relax sound’ (chosen bythe user from a range supplied by the app) to the users measuredbreathing and modulates that sound to slow the user's breathing. Thevolume ramp down is not determined by the user's state of wakefulness.Instead, it may follow a predetermined course. In some configurations,it requires the interaction of the user with this ‘meditation’ featurewhich may direct the user to breath at a specific rate to relax. Thisrequires conscious engagement with the device thus keeping the userawake.

The audio rate can be initially set (e.g., at 12 BPM) (this may vary(e.g., it could be 14 BPM or some other)). The rate may then be rampeddown to the targeted minimum (e.g., 6 BPM or lower) following apredetermined reduction path. Volume step ramp down may optionally occurevery 2 minutes. The user may optionally set the length of the relaxperiod and the application may then determine the rate of volume rampdown of the audio files.

If the user interacts with this process and selects a different audiofile, the playback rate may be reset to the initial rate (e.g., 12) andthe logic restarts (parameters are being refined). Closing the featurewill also terminate playback.

Further options (as previously discussed):

-   -   Provide high quality sounds (such as file type AAC)    -   Facility to download additional sounds in the future.    -   UI to select and play different sounds    -   Return volume to default value (14 breaths per minute) if user        interacts with process during session    -   Route audio to speakers (if connected)

An example process may be implemented by a processor as follows:

-   -   User selects “assisted meditation” option    -   Audio is played at the default breathing rate of 12 breaths per        minute (i.e. 2 BPM less than the maximum available) for 2        minutes.    -   At the end of the two minutes from the previous step reduce the        playback rate by 2 breaths every 2 minutes until the minimum        rate of 6 breaths per minute is reached.    -   When the minimum breathing rate is reached remain at this rate        for 10 minutes.    -   At the end of the 10 minute period from the previous step reduce        volume by 10% every minute for 10 minutes.

If the user interacts with the app and selects a different audio track,the playback rate the playback rate resets to 12 and the logic restarts(parameters are being refined). Closing the process may terminateplayback.

A suitable example of this process may also be considered with referenceto FIG. 34. This example does not require capturing of the user'sbreathing rate prior or during activation. This feature relies onconscious engagement with the process by the user. It can initiate withthe default breathing rate (e.g., 12 br/min) and follow a rate reductionpathway and then a volume reduction mechanism.

Referring to the example of FIG. 34, at 3401, the processor beginsrepeatedly playing the sound file at an initial rate (e.g., 12 BPM). At3402 a time period elapses during playback (e.g., a 2 minute wait). At3403 the current playback rate is evaluated. If it is greater than aminimum rate (e.g., 6 BPM), then the rate is reduced at 3404, e.g., by 2BPM, such as by the sound period stretching process previouslydescribed. The sound file is then repeatedly played again at 3401. If in3403 the rate is not greater than the minimum, at 3405 a wait period isimplemented while the sound file is repeatedly played. At 3406,optionally a gradual volume reduction process may be implemented (e.g.,10% every 1 minute) until the volume is zero or off within 10 minutes.

The reduction of the breathing pattern by such a process may be furtherconsidered in relation to the graphs of FIGS. 35a and 35b . Thisrepresents one embodiment of the predetermined rate reduction path inthe daytime relax feature. The graph in FIG. 35a shows a reduction from14 br/min to 6 br/min illustrating the controlled reduction of the rateof the sound file. In FIG. 35b , the graphs correlate the 12 br/min to 6br/min. playback reduction with a graph of the audio energy output. Thegraph of FIG. 35b also illustrates the volume reduction towards the endof the daytime relax process.

Software—Conceptual Personalized Sleep and Environment Advice

As previously mentioned, the system may be configured to generatemessages/output to a user concerning sleep advice. For example, as thesystem builds an understanding of the sleep patterns of a user, such asfrom sleep related analysis of sensor signals and questionnaires, it maydeliver customized personal advice to help improve the user's sleepthrough the utilization of an ‘advice engine’. In some cases, diagnosticcapacities can be included in the advice engine to help identify othersleep issues which can connect the user to other products such as fortreatment of sleep related health issues (e.g., anti-snoring devices,sleep apnea treatments, CPAP devices, etc.). The advice, which isgenerated by one or more processors of the system, can be designed toinform the users of the benefits of good sleep habits, bestenvironmental conditions for sleep, and daily activities that helpsleep. It delivers credible and insightful information so as to assistthe user's sleep and keep the user engaged with the overall system. Thesystem may implement a learning classifier, such as using Bayesianmethods and/or a decision tree, in order to tailor advice to theindividual patterns of the user, a local population, or a globalpopulation of system users. The user can be prompted to respond toelectronic queries embedded in task/advice nuggets received. The userresponses can guide/trace a path through the contents of the decisiontree.

The user's detected sleep pattern may also indicate a risk of a serioussleep issue. If significant sleep issues are detected, the system canrecommend, and facilitate connection to professional online or offlineresources (e.g., expert advice articles, access to relevant forums, orcontact with sleep professional or a sleep center) to assist the user.The connection may be facilitated by a smart device (e.g., cell phone ortablet) or a PC. For example, links on the computer of phone mayinitiate communications with such professionals or for downloads oraccess to the sleep related information. For example, a prompt of thesystem to the user may trigger sending of a report to a professionalwith detected sleep information. The profession may then communicateback to the user such as through the system. For example, a medicalpractitioner may generate and forward a specialised report orprofessional opinion on the sleep health of the user, based on the sleepreport generated by the herein described system, which the medicalpractitioner has received and reviewed. This can be facilitated via thebedside device BeD, one or more of the systems servers, such as adedicated web page or through communications via a smart phone or SmD.

The creation of such report elements may have multiple pathways and maydepend on the sleep problem detected. For example, the report featurecan be delivered on the screen as a PDF, or other document format, thatcan be printed/saved by the user. For a user with normal sleep or(perhaps) basic insomnia, but poor sleep hygiene and/or sub optimalbedroom environment, the pathway may be via the advice engine to try toimprove the user's sleep. The report may show trend data of sleepparameters, a description of what are the main sleep drivers, and anyadvice given and user changes (if any) arising from the advice.

For example, a typical report may contain any one or more of thefollowing information:

-   -   Is the problem with falling asleep or staying asleep    -   How many nights a week    -   Duration of sleep    -   Fragmentation level    -   Light/REM/deep quantity        A detailed example report is also illustrated in FIGS. 54a, 54b,        54c and 54 d.

FIG. 36 illustrates a general flow diagram concerning advice generation.The advice generation may involve any one or more of the BeD, SmD andthe cloud servers(s). At 3602, respiration and movement (and optionallyheart rate) data may be detected from a user. The data and/or sleeprelated analysis (sleep staging etc.) of the data may be sent to anadvice engine. Optionally sleep room environment information (e.g.,light, sound, temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.) gathered fromsensors at 3604 may also be provided to the advice engine. Additionalinformation may be accessed such as local weather (and location data ifavailable) at 3606. At 3608, the information may be analyzed. At 3610,generated or selected advice may be queued for delivery based on theanalysis. At 3612, the advice may be delivered to the user by one ormore different delivery means (e.g., website, text message, pushnotifications, voice message, email, SmD app notification message, etc.At 3614, a user may respond to a query associated with or includedwithin the electronic advice, which may be fed back to the advice enginefor generation of further advice. During the advice processing, variouscharacteristics and trends in the data, possibly identifying sleepcharacteristics and patterns, may be identified. On the basis of thesefeatures and trends, the proposed system and method providerecommendations and coaching to the user, in the “deliver” stage. Thesignals may be processed at least in part in a back end server.

FIG. 37 illustrates one process that may be executed by software, suchas on one or more a backend cloud servers. Thus, the advice engine maybe formed by a number of services running on a number of back-endservers. This may operate in co-operation with a Push NotificationService such as one from Apple or Google, for example. The back-endservices can follow a client-server model. Push Notifications may bedelivered over a cellular/mobile or other wireless network. An advicedatabase may be separated from a user database forflexibility/scalability reasons. The advice engine can be a back-endcomponent that implements the logic of advice generation, scheduling anddelivery as described in more detail herein. Thus, in this example, anadvice engine service module 3702 may receive an advice request such asfrom an SmD. The advice engine may access user data, measured sleepinformation and trends, etc. from a user data engine service module3706. This information may be stored in a user database 3708. Based onthis information, the advice engine may select advice nuggets from anadvice database 3704 based on advice selection logic. The selectedadvice nuggets, which then are associated with a particular user, may inturn be stored in the user database 3708. The user data engine mayprovide the advice nuggets, scheduling and delivery information for auser to a push notification queue 3710. The queue service may thenprovide the necessary advice communication information to a pushnotification service 3712 for delivery to the user.

A processing flow methodology for the advice engine may be considered inreference to diagram of FIG. 39 and the state diagram of FIG. 40. Theprocess may include an assessing state 3902, an awareness state 3904, anadvice state 3906, a tasks state 3908 and a probation state 3910. Thesestates may be considered in reference to the following discussion ofFIG. 40.

In an initial state, a bedroom assessment stage 4002 may be made. Inthis process, the user may immediately receive recommendations based onthe user's first night sleep, which are specifically aimed at optimisingthe bedroom environment and the sleep related detections previouslydescribed. This stage may last 3-4 days (i.e., uses of the BeD and/orother sleep recordings) typically. If no issues are detected with theuser's sleep, they will receive “wizard” like nuggets—which may begeneral information about sleep. In other words, if no issues are seen,sleep facts can be supplied as nuggets. This may avoid annoying the userwho may not like to be informed about environmental factors that are notactually impacting their sleep. Thus, some specific advice may be ruledout based on a detection of satisfactory environmental conditions.

After an initial assessment, for example 4 days, the SmD may startbecoming aware of more details regarding the user's sleep in a sleepassessment stage 4004 by detecting issues with the user's sleep record(e.g., a trend). If the system does not detect any unusual sleep issues,it may remain in the nightly sleep assessment phase detectingenvironmental conditions and sleep indicators/parameters/stages, etc.

If an issue is identified, the user moves to a precaution advice stage4006 for a period of time (e.g., maximum of two days). This allows theuser to have a transient/bad night of sleep without annoying the user ordirecting them into a sleep program. If the issue goes away, they moveback to the sleep assessment phase. If the issue remains, the SleepAdvice phase becomes more active. This may last for a subsequent periodof time (e.g., around 3-5 days, depending on the detected condition andthe content available). If a positive (getting better) or negative(getting worse) trend is seen, the user may also receive trend feedbackin a trend stage 4009.

In some cases, the process may advance from the advice stage 4008 to theprobation phase 4010 if the device detects that the previously detectedissue is fixed or no longer detected. Otherwise, the will continue ormove back to advice phase where further or secondary advice suggestionsmay be generated.

In some cases, the process may advance to the tasks stage 4012 if thedevice detects that the user is showing no improvement (i.e., the sleeprelated problem is repeatedly detected). These tasks are longer termprograms to address certain issues—e.g., increase exercise levels,reduce caffeine intake etc.

In short, over time, the advice engine can generate personalised advicefor the user based on the user's sleep patterns, changes in sleeppatterns, journal entries and a personal profile. It will gain anawareness of issues that will be monitored. If the issue remainspersistent then it will move into the advice phase forinforming/correcting a user with these issues utilising the advicenuggets. It may designate a task to the user to help combat the sleepissue. However, if the user does not comply with the advice or the issueis no longer detected then the system will enter a probation period fora number of days and the advice may resume addressing this problem asbefore. If the issue is no longer detected then the system may revertback to an assessing phase, where no sleep issue is detected but theuser is monitored. On the other hand, if the user complies with advicethen a reward policy may be implemented. These processes are alsoillustrated in the diagram of FIG. 38.

Advice

As previously mentioned, the advice engine is responsible for managingand generating all advice content, implementing business logic andscheduling advice to the push notification engine. Input to the adviceengine may typically include processed data from the BeD and/or SmD,such as that stored in an accessible database to the advice engine. Theinput may similarly include advice feedback from the user and/or userdata and state information (e.g., state of advice process, see, e.g.,FIGS. 38, 39 and 40.) The output of the advice engine may include adviceannotations concerning and/or overlayed on a hypnogram and advicenuggets. This may be communicated via an interface to, for example, theSmD or a cloud server or traditional server. The output may also includethe advice content/nuggets and advice scheduling information such asthrough another communications interface (e.g., a push engineinterface). Another form of the advice engine could be implementedentirely within the SmD or within the BeD device (such as one with agraphical display and/or enabled with the sleep related processingfunctions of the SmD).

The advice engine may typically identify combinations of parameters thattrigger specific pieces (nuggets) of sleep improvement advice. These arethen added to a queue for later delivery to the user—e.g., by sms textmessage, email or application notification (e.g., push notification).The actual advice can be text, audio, or a short video clip. As anexample, it will be assumed that too much ‘light sleep’ (stages 1/2),restlessness and periods of awake are detected early in the morning fora user. The advice engine can identify that this detected conditioncoincides with elevated light levels (as detected by the light sensor).The advice content generated for the user may in this case suggest useof blackout curtains (and potentially offer the ability to purchaseonline) The light sensor may also detect whether this elevated lightlevel is due to daylight or artificial light (e.g., light bulb, LED,fluorescent or other) and tailor the advice appropriately. The systemmay determine the location of the SmD and estimate sunrise, sunset andother parameters from online services or from a lookup table.

Thus, the advice engine may include or have access to a number ofservices running on a number of back-end servers. This may be incooperation with a Push Notification Service (e.g., from Apple/Google)and other operating systems. The back-end services may then follow aclient-server model. Push Notifications may be delivered by over amobile or cellular network. The advice database may be separated fromthe user database for flexibility/scalability reasons. The advice enginemay be a back-end component (e.g., a processor service of a cloudserver) that implements the logic of the advice generation, schedulingand delivery.

By way of further example, the advice engine inputs estimates of auser's current and historical sleep data as measured by a BeD andanalyzed by the SmD, lifestyle data input by the user, and a record ofadvice previously given to the user to deliver advice that helps a userimprove their sleep. The advice is designed to inform the users of thebenefits of good sleep habits, best environmental conditions for sleep,and daily activities that help sleep. It delivers credible andinsightful information so as to keep a user engaged with the overallsystem.

In doing so, the advice engine may implement any of the followinginterface(s):

-   -   Advice Engine Content Interface: an interface between the advice        engine library and the advice engine content from which advice        may be selected with the logic process of the advice engine;    -   Data Access Layer: This is the interface between a backend        repository (e.g., user database server) and the advice engine;    -   Notification Engine—this allows notifications to be sent to a        user such as via a smart device.

Advice generation by the advice engine may be further considered by thefollowing examples:

(1) Light level and sleep disturbance advice: (a) If a higher thanaverage ambient light is detected then a content message may begenerated to suggest that a user consider covering their eyes or turningoff devices with lights, LEDs etc. (b) If blue light is detected then acontent message may be generated to identify the need to cover suchdevices and why blue light can be significant to disturbing sleep. If anincrease in light level is detected around sunrise and the devicedetects that the user is waking or having disturbed sleep in this timeframe, a message may be generated with content to recommend blackoutcurtains or other window covering. If blinking light is detected amessage may be generated with content to suggest that the user considerchecking smartphone for notifications or to turn off a notifications onthe smart phone.

(2) Sound level and sleep disturbance advice. (a) If road noise,garbage/bin collection and/or elevated background noise is detected byanalysis of microphone sounds, then a content message may be generatedto suggest that a user consider ear plugs or other sound control/maskingbackground white noise. If snoring is detected by analysis of microphonesounds (e.g., by snoring of user or their partner) then a contentmessage may be generated to suggest that a user consider a snoringreduction aid or otherwise seeking assistance for such SDB in a report.

(3) Temperature and sleep disturbance advice. (a) Record roomtemperature and if the device detects that user is slow to fall asleep,then a content message may be generated to suggest that a user considerchanging the temperature (e.g., if overheated or too cold). (b) Recordroom temperature and if any awakenings are detected during the night;then a content message may be generated to suggest that a user considerchanging the temperature of the room which may be too cold or too warmfor instance, (c) Record room temperature and if any awakenings aredetected near morning in conjunction with a temperature change, then acontent message may be generated to suggest that a user considerchanging the boiler/heater start time as it may be disturbing sleep withsudden temperature change. A control signal could also be generated andoptionally sent to a temperature (and/or humidity) control device suchas a thermostat and/or air conditioner controller.

(4) Patterns of sleep advice: if the device detects, for example, shortsleep duration, fragmented sleep, low efficiency sleep, then a contentmessage may be generated to suggest that a user consider various tipswith specific sleep hygiene advice, this may include environmentaladjustments when the events are linked to detected issues inenvironmental events such as any listed above.

In some cases, location data (e.g., GPS or other location awarenessinformation) may be accessed and the advice may be generated based onthe location advice. For example, by evaluating location data, advicecan be based on actual sunrise time at the user location. Similarly, thedevice may check if the user is travelling and offer appropriate adviceto manage jetlag or their new room environment, and other weather basedparameters such as pollen count, temperature and humidity during the dayor at night that might affect sleep. The phases of the moon (e.g., fullmoon) may also be referenced, and used to tailor advice.

In some cases, an advice engine may employ any of the following: aBack-end infrastructure (e.g., one or more servers); an Advice Enginecomprising a number of cooperating Advice Sub-Units running on thebackend server; an Advices Database hosted on a Relational Databaserunning on the backend server; an Advice Push mechanism running on aPush Server; a graphic user interface (GUI)-based advice displaymechanism running one or more Smart Devices; and/or a comprehensive userexperience design, whose implementation is distributed over the aboveFunctional Blocks.

An advice message or advice nugget may be characterized in two forms,leading and trailing. A leading nugget may be related to a cause whichthe advice engine estimates is responsible for the issue beingaddressed. These might involve alcohol and caffeine levels being toohigh or exercise level too low and/or suboptimal environmentalconditions. A trailing nugget may be related to particular causes of thesleep issues being addressed by the advice engine. These may be relatedto the user's sleep pattern as illustrated by the hypnogram such aslengths of REM and deep sleep, number of awakenings which are notconducive to restful sleep. These issues may be defined in a classimplementation or list and may be mapped to a database so that thesystem and repository can share the same identification for each issue.Each issue may have particular detection methods for analysing thepresence of the issue and evaluating relevance as well as content formessages to communicate the issues to users.

The processing of the advice engine may be further considered inreference to FIGS. 41, 42 and 43. The advice engine may includeprocessing logic to do any one or more of the following:

-   -   (1) Adds measured sleep data to a user profile. This is required        for building a user's profile and then for generating        personalized advice.    -   (2) Solicits user profile data and adds to a user's profile.        This is required for both building a user's profile and then for        generating personalized advice.    -   (3) Delivers generic awareness advice while acquiring enough        user and sleep data to generate a user profile. This engages the        user until enough personalized data and advice is available. The        complete user profile, in conjunction with current records of a        user's previous night's sleep is used to generate personalized        advice.    -   (4) Delivers personalized advice after the initial data        gathering phase    -   (5) Delivers personalized advice based on trends in acquired        data and on previously delivered advice.    -   (6) Maintains a history of previously given advice which enables        the user to improve their sleep to a greater, more targeted        extent.    -   (7) Learns user's habits and the applicability of rules-of-thumb        to the particular user.

As illustrated in FIG. 41, initially, the advice engine may primarilydetect sleep issues by comparing detected patterns with normalized data,obtained from other users the described technology or from externalsources, in issue analysis process 4102. However, over time, givenincreased use by a user and the collection of historical data of theuser, the ‘industry standard norms’ may be phased out in favour ofcomparing recently detected sleep patterns with the particular user'snormal historical data. This can allow further customizing of the advicegiven to a particular user. Thus, given a user's history of sleeprecords and advices, the most relevant advice template available on thesystem may be selected by the processor for addressing issues with theuser's most recent sleep record. In this regard, most relevant criteriafor selection may include the following parameters: presence of issuewith a cause; trend; range; sequence; substitute; language; user type;and/or stage. Thus, trends from historical data may be determined in atrend analysis process 4106.

In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the advice engine library maybase its logic process for advice generation on the following measuredparameters (also referred as principles): REM duration; Sleep Duration;Awakenings (number and/or duration); SWS (Deep sleep) duration; andSleep Onset duration, regularity of time to bed, among others. Theseprinciples are the basis for an issues analysis process 4102 that shouldidentify a number of possible issues 4104 based on the comparisonbetween those principles and the normative data. The engine will tageach user with the issue(s) that appear to be the most relevant, basedon how much each underlying principle (measure principles) deviates fromthe standard (norm). The system will keep a user tagged with an issueuntil the relevance of that issue falls below a pre-defined threshold.

The processor of the engine in a correlation process 4112 may alsocorrelate the user into a trend, which may be one of the following:None; improving a lot; improving; stable; Worsening; Worsening a lot.The trend will be based on the previous history of the user/issue. Theidentified trend may generate a queue of advices, selecting at least onelikely cause and/or the most likely cause. Initially, the most likelycause may be attributed to the measured factor that deviate the mostfrom the standard (norm). In a causes process 4109 causes 4110 may beevaluated for the sleep issues based on measured factors. The potentialmeasured factors may include: (1) Environmental (enabled by default)including (a) Temperature, (b) Light and/or (c) Sound; (2) Lifestyle(enabled by specific issues): (a) Stress, (b) Diet, (c) Caffeine and/or(d) Alcohol. Initially all causes may be weighted by a 1.00 factor. Asknowledge base around the way every issue is influenced by causes (ormeasured principles are influenced by factors) a correlation factor canbe applied between issues and causes.

FIG. 42 further illustrates advice processes (such as of the SmD and/ora server processor) as detected conditions lead to generation ofdifferent advice content. It also illustrates the relationship between‘Issue’ and ‘Cause’ in more detail. A user is educated to improve theirsleep habits, and optimise their sleep environment. Behaviouralimprovement paths are based on the user response to advice nuggets. Forexample, issues 4202 may be detected with REM time, Deep Sleep timeand/or number of interruptions. REM or Deep Sleep may be detected andevaluated by comparison with a threshold (either norm based and/or usertrend based) to detect whether it is too short, too long or fragmented.Interruptions may be counted and compared to a threshold to decide ifthere are too many. A probability analysis process 4206 with respect tothe issues and their relationship to cause 4204 such as measured orinput information (e.g., threshold comparisions involving measured lightlevels, sound levels, temperature levels and other user input) mayresult in selection of one or more advice messages 4208 over time. Theprogression of delivery of different advice messages over time withrespect to a detected issue may be selected based on their associationwith the different causes and the detected issue.

FIG. 43 further illustrates the data relationship between stored usersleep records 4302, advice content 4304 and evaluation or reference data4306 (e.g., detected issues, causes and trends) as administered with theadvice engine for generating advice and receiving feedback. User advicehistory data 4308 (e.g., sleep, environment, previous advice, theirfeedback, etc.) may be based on any one or more of this data, includingdetected sleep issues, causes and trends. This illustrates how issuesand cause are associated with and contribute to the advice engineanalysis for advice generation.

As previously mentioned, the advice engine library may move a user'sstatus within and between various states such as those identified withreference to FIG. 40. In some versions, the following states may beimplemented:

-   -   (1) Regular/101: This is a state where the advice engine does        not detect anything wrong with the current user's data. It could        go on forever, if all the measured sleep hygiene principles are        within the expected ranges.    -   (2) Awareness: When the advice engine detects an issue with a        user's data, it starts tracking that issue, and it enters an        awareness status. The library remains in this status as long as        the issue is still detected as the most relevant, for a number        of record that depends on the number of stages defined in the        advices content    -   (3) Advice: If the advice engine is still detecting a specific        issue for a consistent number of sessions in the user's data        corresponding to the highest sequence number defined in the        content data for that issue, then the system moves to the advice        phase. During this phase the content can be more prescriptive,        but from the perspective of the advice engine, the behavior is        quite similar. The main difference is that the content is now        delivered in two parts, one being associated with the issue and        the second with the likely or the most likely cause detected. If        the advice engine has already sent the highest sequence number        available (e.g., all advice previously communicated), then the        system can trigger a Task, and move to the Task phase.    -   (4) Task: During this phase the system will put the user through        a specific program, with daily tasks. This phase will go on for        the entire duration of the task program, as defined in the        system. At the end of the task program the user will receive a        report, showing the progression, improvements and highlights of        the daily tasks. Next the system will go back to a Regular        phase, and will stop monitoring the issue that originated the        task program, for a number of records. If no other issues are        detected will stay in regular phase, if not it will move to        awareness for the new detected issue.    -   (5) Probation: If during an awareness or advice phase the user        replies with a negative feedback for a number of times or the        issue is not detected anymore, the user moves to a probation        phase, where it can stay for a small number of days. From here,        the issue may arise again, therefore the system will get back to        where it left, or the issue may disappear completely, and have        the system back to regular phase. This stage allows the advice        engine to make sure that newly established environmental        conditions and behaviours are maintained and successfully        implemented as the user's new habit.

In reference to FIG. 44, the advice engine may include variouscomponents such as for management of the system. The components mayinclude:

(1) Server side components 4402: This may include processes, such aswith software, responsible for running the Advice Engine, scheduling anddelivering advices to the users, and generating advice engine warnings,call specific functions in the Advice Engine Library 4404 whicheventually accesses the published content 4406. Its components are:

-   -   (a) Advice Enqueuer    -   (b) Advice Dispatcher    -   (c) Advice Content Warning Generator        The advice Enqueuer and Dispatcher form a Queue-Centric workflow        pattern where the communication between the two components        happens through a queue. The Advice Generator is triggered        ultimately by an incoming record (Record Queued) and how this        fires the Dispatcher to send advices to the Push Notification        Service.

(2) Advice Engine Content and Management tools: A set of softwarecomponents allow content editors 4412 to edit the advice content 4410.It may be able to access both production (live) and local data records,and provide a mechanism to playback a sequence of recordings i.e.manages the advice engine content, that is published to the variousenvironments (production/staging) via a Publishing Tool 4408 whichpopulates the advice engine content database.

(3) Advice Engine Publishing Tools 4408 serves as mechanism to evaluatethe overall quality of the advice content, to version the current advicecontent and deploy it into various environment. It may allow access toboth the DAL (Data Access Layer) and the Advice Engine Library 4404. Itmay read the content file (such as stored in XML format) and write into“Live” database (such as via SQL). The simplest form of publishing toolcould be an SQL script run using an SQL server management application.

(4) Advice Engine Library 4404 is a processing module that may beresponsible for online advice generation. Its main concern is to selectthe most appropriate template from a list, depending on a user's recordand profile. The system may have logic that accepts that issues may beattributed to the most likely cause. This may not always be correct butthe knowledge base for improving such causes may be improved over timeas previously described. This library is the main and most importantcomponent of the advice engine.

FIG. 45 illustrates an example push engine 4502 architecture and itsinteractions with external components, such as the advice engine 4504and one or more messaging notification servers 4506. Some examplenotification servers may include iOS, Android, and Windows operatingsystems. Once the advice has been determined, following backend serverprocessing, the advice engine requires the advice to be sent to the usergenerated in the cloud. Sending or not sending an advice nugget to theuser is based on the advice engine logic, scheduling and method ofadvice delivery can also be determined by the advice engine. Thisemploys a ‘transportation’ method such as a push notification service todeliver the advice. The advice generator 4508 process receives advicenuggets/messages from the advice engine and queues them in the advicerepository 4510. The advice dispatcher 4512 process retrieves themessages for a notification engine 4514 (e.g., via a communicationservice application programming interface API), which in turncommunicates the message to a messaging notification server of themessaging notification servers 4506.

Advice Example Scenarios

As previously described, the system stores historical data, such as byuploading to the cloud server, which it then can draw upon to determinethe user specific habits. It may also make recommendations for behaviourchange such as to improve sleep. This may involve generating advice thateducates a user as to improving their sleep habits, and optimising theirsleep environment. As data is gathered from the user, the advice isautomatically customised/personalized to their actual sleep habits, andtheir response to actual advice delivered to them (e.g., was the adviceuseful, not useful, irrelevant etc.). These behavioural improvementpaths are based on the user response to “nuggets” or short pieces ofadvice, of which they may receive a number of these each day (and theycan configure frequency of receipt). Nuggets should reinforce good sleephabits, and provide a pathway to improved sleep such as bestenvironmental conditions for sleep, and daily activities that aid sleep.An example follows.

Consider a person using the system for one week. The following table ofevents summarizes a potential outcome generated by the system:

Events Tables (a) System in Initial State:

# Use Case Outcome Advice Content 1 On 1^(st) night Noadvice/Welcome/intro NA nugget 2 On upload of Welcome message Bedroomassessment 1^(st) record 1-3 advices (content (env. data) dependent), Norelation to issues spaced throughout the day. detected 3 On 2^(nd) nightNo Advice NA 4 On upload of 1-3 advices (content Bedroom assessment2^(nd) record dependent), (env data) spaced throughout the day. Norelation to issues detected 5 same same same

(b) After Initial State

Advice Content If Advice Content no # Use Case Outcome Issues detectedIssues detected 1 On 5^(th) night No advice (or reminder of NA NAexpected bedtime) 2 On upload 1-3 advices (content Advice engine entersAdvice engine enter of 5^(th) record dependent), “precaution state”“Sleep assessment” spaced throughout the day. 1 night only (env. data,sleep facts) 3 On upload No Advice NA NA of 6^(th) record 4 On upload1-3 advices (content Advice engine enters Advice engine enter of 6^(th)record dependent), “advice state” “Sleep assessment” spaced throughoutthe day. (env. data, sleep facts) Duration 5-10 days Indefinitely

(c) In Advice State

Advice Content Advice Content If no Issues # Use Case Outcome Issuescontinue detected 1 On upload 1-3 advices Stay in “advice Move to of1^(st) record (content state”; if “probation dependant), improvementnoted state” spaced but issue still present throughout give user areward - the day. single nugget with compliment Duration 5-10 days 2-4days Move to “task” Back to “sleep assessment”

(d) In Task State

# Use Case Outcome Accepts Declines 1 On upload Task offer Task request.If user declines task offer of 1^(st) record Nugget will twice then goback to request an sleep assessment action from the user Duration 5-10days 2 days Back to “sleep assessment”

Suggestions for the optimization of bedroom sleep settings or sleephabits can include one or more of the following:

(1) Immediate recommendations (i.e., first night experience) to improvethe user's sleep environment, initially based on normative data andsubsequently on the user's own data measurements (e.g., provided byemail, in-app, on web). For example, the system checks if ambient noiseis disturbing the user's sleep without the user being aware of it,checks if light levels may be affecting the user's sleep and wake-uppatterns, checks ambient temperature at night etc. The system thensuggests changes to the user's sleep environment, if one or moreparameters of the user's environment are significantly different fromstatistical averaged parameters of other users or of the user's owncollected data. The collected data may relate to the user'slocation/current weather conditions, average weather trends (i.e.,baseline temperature may vary by country, area, time of year, allergyalerts). The system can also collect personal data by allowing the userto journal (input data to the system in response to a query) (e.g., askif the user is using air conditioning, heating, humidifier, type ofbedding).

(2) Generate and provide personally tailored advice based on user sleeppatterns, journal entries and personal profile. The personal profilecovers the users name, age, weight, gender. The system provides apersonalized report and list of suggestions. Can be viewed in app oremailed.

(3) Generated and provide a risk assessment of the user's sleep pattern,and suggests if the user might need to follow-up with a sleep physicianor sleep professional (e.g., “Stop-Bang” or other form ofquestionnaire). Risk assessment reports will be available in a PDFformat that can be printed off which can be the basis of a discussionwith a physician.

(4) Generate and Provide further suggestions over time to improvesleep—a combination of environment and personal routine recommendations.For example:

-   -   (a) Prompt for checking on lighting settings, TV/gadgets, eating        before going to bed (i.e., best practice).    -   (b) Prompt to go to bed when a statistically determined suitable        time approaches (option of bedtime alarm as a reminder).    -   (c) Advise the user on what to eat and drink before bed (diet)        and when the user wakes up, what to do (listen to music) and not        to do (eat or watch TV) in bed and what to take to bed with the        user (e.g., by email, in-app, on web).    -   (d) Ask the user what settings/changes they are capable of        making and remembers this so as to only recommend changes to the        user that the user can implement, e.g., dimming light settings    -   (e) Provide a “Willpower Index”—may warn the user that their        willpower may be tested if they haven't managed to get        sufficient quality or quantity of sleep.    -   (f) Offer the user the opportunity to explore other products        related to any problems that might help sleep better (e.g.,        sleep bedding, eye masks, speakers for enhanced audio        experience) in-app or on web    -   (g) Provide access to discussion forums to learn from sleep        experts and other people's approaches—on website and via        email/app.

(h) Provide recommendations and references to interesting articles onwhat affects our sleep and how we can improve it—website and viaemail/app.

In another example use scenario, a user uses the system during onenight. She wakes three times, vaguely remembers but doesn't know why.When she sees the hypnogram in the morning generated by the SmD it hasannotated events with the awakenings shown. Awakenings are also shown asa single number (count) outside the hypnogram. The awakenings may beannotated by or matched with environmental factors detected by thedevice. Display of such annotations may be based on a comparison of apredefined threshold of a number of events detected.

# Use Case Limit Outcome 1 Light event Detected level Noted in back endservice and greater than (>) communicated to user (such as in apredefined message or on hypnogram) threshold (e.g., lux) 2 Sound eventDetected level Noted in back end service and greater than (>)communicated to user (such as in a predefined message or on hypnogram)threshold (e.g., decibels dB) 3 Temperature Detected level Noted in backend service and event greater than (>) communicated to user (such as ina predefined message or on hypnogram) threshold (e.g., Degrees Celcius)4 Number of 5 for light Display all 15 on hypnogram. events greater 5for sound than (>) 5 for temp predefined threshold (e.g., 15 eventsnoted in a night) 5 Number of 5 for light Display none on hypnogram.events less than (<) a predefined threshold (e.g., 15 events noted in anight).

In some cases, the system may optionally aggregate data from othersources, such as environmental data (e.g., allergy alert, humidity, airquality and related parameters). These data can be obtained fromphysical wired or wireless sensors, or via ‘online’ services such aslocal, regional and trending sources of weather, air pollution, andallergy (e.g., pollen) conditions data. An example of how ‘environmentalmonitoring’ information is utilized by the system is as follows.

(a) Weather forecast (and historical) data—meta environment: Shortand/or long term weather data can be obtained from a variety of onlinesources. Cold weather can lead to significant bronchoconstriction, e.g.,via facial cooling. Therefore, the algorithm analyses currenttemperature, predicted temperatures, and historical data to recommendsuitable clothing and risk levels for the user. Local pollution levels(airborne allergens) are recorded by the algorithm; these can be relatedto asthma severity for example. Advice provided on internal (bedroom)temperature may be further customised if external weather reportssuggest that heat wave (or very cold spell) is occurring, i.e., thesystem may adjust the settings to avoid providing potentially spuriousadvice.

(b) Allergy alerts (e.g., related to pollen count) can be communicatedto the user based on forecasted and seasonal values.

Further User Scenario (Jet Lag Advice)

As previously mentioned, the system may generate location based advice,such as jet lag advice. In such a scenario, the SmD may automaticallydetect a possible “jetlag” event based on one or more of (a) the user'ssmart device timezone setting (usually auto updated), (b) large distancechange in location based on location aware data (GPS or networkassisted), (c) use of smart device at an unusual time of the day. Theadvice engine may evaluate a jetlag process to proactively assist if theuser indicates that they are planning to travel.

In this process, the system may provide advice to suggest exposure todaylight at varying times of the day, moving towards the target timezonefrom the current timezone (i.e., by increasing exposure todaylight/white light earlier, and restricting closer to the targettimezone bedtime). By reference to the typical sleeping pattern of theuser based on their detected sleep cycles, the system may even suggestchanges over several days (e.g., up to 2 weeks) before travel. Thischange can continue once the user has reached their destination, inorder to move their sleep to the new time zone. The system can alsoprovide advice when the user returns from travel.

When travelling (or just after arriving in the new time zone), thesystem can also provide advice concerning suggested diet changes,exercise, and light exposure in order to allow the user to adapt to thenew time zone. For example, it is known that if the person is tired atan unusual time, they may be more likely to snack on “junk” foods, andthe system can proactively suggest alternatives (e.g., eat fruit, drinkwater, etc.) at their “high risk” time periods. It can also suggestmodulation to the use of caffeine and alcohol (if applicable). Usinglocation data, advice can be linked to actual sunrise time at the userlocation, check if the user is travelling and offer appropriate adviceto manage jetlag or their new room environment.

Additionally, in some cases the SmD may even retrieve and displaydifferent background images depending on the time of day, such assimulating a sunrise, sunset, day, night with different colour schemes,such as to give the user a simulation of the new time zone. The systemmay also adjust the display of previous sleep recordings to denote aperiod of travel.

Software—Example Data Storage Model

As previously mentioned, the system stores data for sleep analysis andmanagement. Such data may be included in one or more databases, such asa database accessible to the SmD and/or server(s) 3004 of the cloudsystem. FIG. 46 illustrates an example data storage model for some ofthe data of the system. For example, the data may include userinformation 4602, such as a user identification, name, address, etc.This may serve as an association for sleep session information 4604(e.g., sleep patterns from one or more nights, hypnograms, etc.) of theuser, questionnaire responses 4603 of the user, and advice items for theuser 4605 and the user's profile 4606 (e.g., age, sex, etc.) Thedatabase may also include recorded environmental information 4607, sleepevent information 4608 and sleep location information 4609 inassociation with sleep session information. The location information4609 may also be associated with the user profile information. Otherdata model and organization may also be implemented.

Software Example Embodiment—Mind Clear

As previously mentioned, the system may implement a mind clear processsuch as with a processor of the SmD. FIG. 47 illustrates an example ofsuch a process. Generally, this ‘Mind Clear’ process can assist the userin achieving and maintaining a state of relaxation and a peace of mindso as to assist with falling asleep.

The process permits the user to dictate (e.g., to a digital recorder),write down, or otherwise record, any thought or idea that the user hasdeveloped when resting. This helps to clear the user's mind of thoughtsthat otherwise might keep the user awake. In the morning the user canaccess their records and access the recorded thought or idea.Alternatively, the records may be sent to the user's email or telephonemessage box.

The recording process can be implemented so as to minimise anydisruptions to the user's resting routine. For example, the use of voicerecording enables the user to avoid all the disruptions associated withlooking for light switches in the dark, turning a light on, looking fora pen or an access to the user's computer. The system minimises thedisruption and the visual disturbance introduced by a bright light andcan greatly assist the user's return to sleep after recording. Adding tothis, the mind clear function may be voice activated (with the SmD)further minimalizing the sleep disruption. Whilst similar recordingfeatures can be available on some smart phones, utilising them mayrequire handling the phone and navigating through the phone menus, againexposing the user to interruptions and light. A voice activated mindclear function can help avoid such disturbances.

Because of the reduced disruption, a user is able to record multiple“notes” to self, which the user can reply and listen to at a later time.These ‘memos’ can be accessed at any time. The system may also convertvoice notes to text using voice recognition for delivery to the user byemail or a text message.

A flow chart of an example process is shown in FIG. 47. The userinitiates the process with the SmD at 4702 and makes the audio recordingat 4704. The recording can be replayed at any time at 4706 such as withthe SmD or other device of the system. Optionally, the message may betransmitted for a reply to a remote device, such a mobile phone or anonline server. Optionally, the message may be converted at 4708 into atext format such as with the SmD or a server. The text may be displayedon a screen such as the SmD. Optionally, at 4710, the message orconverted message may be transmitted to a remote device, such as amobile phone or an online server. Thus, the text memos/messages may beedited, saved or deleted by the user.

Thus, any one or more processors of the system may be configured toperform any one or more of the following for a user: input typed text orrecord a voice note/memo; edit a text note; delete voice memos and textnotes; browse and navigate voice memos and text notes; listen to voicememos, read text and access other forms of communication at any time;share memos via email, SMS and AirDrop/Bluetooth; voice activate;convert voice to text memos.

In sum, the process may allow a user to capture any persistent thoughtsif they are finding it difficult to fall asleep or if they wake upduring the night. The reassurance of knowing that they have recorded or‘logged’ their thoughts/worries aids in clearing their mind and helpsthem fall asleep.

Software Example Embodiment—Nap Assist

As previously mentioned, the system may implement a nap assist processsuch as with a processor of the SmD. This process may assist with auser's day naps (here the expression “nap” is intended to include arelatively short period of day time sleep that is distinct and isusually in addition to the long period of sleep during night-time). Oncea user has selected this process option (and perhaps specified it todays which suit a nap) the user's wake up from night sleep times and naptimes, including going to bed for a nap and wake up from a nap time,will get logged by the system. Then by processing this wake-up and/ornap data, an optimum nap time is calculated. A morning notificationgenerated by the processor will then be produced so that it can befacilitated into the user's routine. This is followed by anothernotification shortly before nap time to act as a reminder.

If the user is at home, a dedicated unit can act as a nap monitor. Thisis significant since the difference between a good and bad nap is allabout timing. Nap duration of anywhere from 10-45 minutes is good, andof 90 minutes is very good. But waking up in-between 45 and 90 minuteswill possibly wake the person in slow-wave sleep and they will feeltired upon awakening.

When the user lays down for a nap, the nap wake up alarm can beautomatically set from the person's detected sleep onset, depending alsoof course, on the desired duration of the nap.

Such a system may implement multiple ‘smart data’ points:

It can predict the best time for the user to start a nap (e.g., 2:30 pm)based on the time that they awoke on that day. The nap wake-up time isdetermined by the data gathered by the sensor. The data is used todetermine when the user has actually fallen asleep during their nap soas to ‘start the clock’ and determine the optimal time to wake. Thesystem advises of an optimal time for napping by selecting a time(called the nap-delay), which is delayed from the user's morning/sleepwake up time. Initially, this value may be set to a fixed populationaverage (e.g., 6 hours) based on known human circadian rhythms. Thevalue can then be adjusted by the system based on the measured napduration and sleep-onset latency for the nap. For example, if the systeminitially suggests a 6 hour offset from wake-up time, but measures thatthe sleep onset latency is 20 minutes, it would increase the nap-delayvalue to 6.5 hours. The data from the sensor is also used to, whenreasonable duration of sleep (say between 30-45 mins) has been obtained,determine if the user is slipping into slow wave sleep and, if so, awakethe user via the alarm so that the user can wake up refreshed from theirnap.

The reminders/schedule may be determined by the processor from the datagathered via the sensor relating to the wake-up time.

Software Example Embodiment—Setup Optimiser

In some versions, the system may implement a setup optimiser processsuch as with a processor of the SmD. The set up optimizer may includetwo parts: the setup guide and the advice feedback setup. This setup mayinclude a graphic user interface and may include screens with staticimages, and may not require a flow of data. For example, the user mayswipe or click through the screens. A set of images, displaying theideal system setup may be presented, and the user may scroll through atfirst sign on with the system. This may optionally be accessible atother times such as from an “about” page or from within a “settings”menu.

In some versions, the system or device may detect that it is notpositioned correctly such as if no motion signal is detected. This maytrigger a setup up process to send a notification to the user such as bysending an advice nugget that alerts the user that the positioning oftheir device has been or is incorrect. The advice nugget may optionallyprovide a link to a video such as with content to show how to positionthe device correctly.

Such a nugget feedback for setup with the system may occur as follows:

(1) User sleeps and data is fed in the usual way from the Bed to SmD;

(2) The RM20 process produces “Sleep Synopsis Data” of these parametersand measures of signal quality;

(3) The Sleep Synopsis Data is uploaded to a cloud server (e.g., backendserver); 1

(4) The Advice Engine analyses the result, and based on its logic, sendsor does not send a push notification of an advice nugget (e.g., poormeasurement signal—reposition device);

(5) The notification can be communicated via a network to the phone;

(6) The phone receives the notification which contains a uniqueidentifier for the user and a link to the advice;

(7) The user clicks the notification, and the SmD processor is triggeredto download and display the advice nugget.

In some cases, the system can implement/calculate a metric referred toas ‘Signal Quality’. This may be an average (mean) version of the datasignal quality that is calculated throughout the sleep session.

In an embodiment, it can take on values (also considered bins) of 1, 2,3, 4, 5. For this particular scale, the midpoint “3” represents anideal, with “2” and “4” being acceptable quality, while “1” and “5”indicate poor signal quality.

A value of “1” indicates that the user is too far away from the sensorto detect a good quality, consistent breathing rate—i.e., the overallsignals detected are of small amplitude, and/or the detectedcardiorespiratory signal(s) are of very poor quality. For example, smallchanges in respiratory waveform shape are very difficult to detect at“1”, as the signal-to-noise ratio is very low.

At the opposite extreme, a “5” indicates that a very large(consistently) signal is detected, so much so that soft clipping isdetected on the signals. This is indicative of the subject (human,animal etc.) sleeping too close to the sensor. The impact of a “5” isthat subtleties of the signal may be lost due to this clipping,potentially skewing cardiorespiratory readings (e.g., clippingrespiratory peaks), masking possible apnea/hypopnea behavior, andleading to excess movement being triggered. For a “1” or a “5”, the useris suggested to adjust the position of the device in order to get abetter quality signal.

The system also returns the percentage of the overall signal fallinginside each bin—e.g., 62.7% might be in bin “3”, 10.54% in bin “2”, andthe residue in the other three bins, leading to an overallclassification of a “3”. A standard deviation of the signal is returnedfor the overall signal quality metric.

Software Example Embodiment—Lucid Dream Assist

In some versions, the system may implement a lucid dream assist processsuch as with a processor of the SmD. Webster's definition of lucidityincludes the following meaning: “clearness of thought or style,” and “apresumed capacity to perceive the truth directly and instantaneously.”Lucidity in lucid dreaming was coined by Frederik van Eeden in 1913:referring to the perception of the truth that one is dreaming. In otherwords; a lucid dream refers to when someone becomes aware they aredreaming and gain some level of sovereignty over their actions in adream. The scientific consensus on lucid dreaming is “Lucid dreaming isa rare but robust state of sleep that can be trained” (Dresler et al.2011 p. 1; LaBerge, 1980). Snyder and Gackenbach (1988, p. 230) concludethat about 58% of the population have experienced a lucid dream once intheir lifetime and 21% report them once or more per month. The firstbook to recognize the scientific potential of lucid dreams was CeliaGreeds (1968) study Lucid Dreams. The first peer-reviewed article waspublished by Stephen LaBerge (1980) at Stanford University, who haddeveloped a Lucid dreaming technique as part of his doctoraldissertation. During the 1980s, further scientific evidence to confirmthe existence of lucid dreaming was produced as lucid dreamers were ableto demonstrate to researchers that they were consciously aware of beingin a dream state by using eye movement signals (LaBerge, 1990). Dresleret al. (2011) has recently provided the first demonstration ofneuro-imaging of specific dream contents using lucid dreaming. Theyfound that if a subject is asked to clench their right or left handwithin a dream, the parts of the somatosensory cortex (the part used formovement and feeling) activated.

Such a Lucid dreaming training process could be used by a user to createa course that may be presented through the SmD or the servers of thesystem. Such a course on Lucid dreaming can be accessed at the user'sdiscretion. Upon initiating the training course process, the user canchoice a small burst of sound or a soundscape which can act as a triggerwhile they are dreaming. When user then falls asleep (and also wishes toexperiment with lucid dreaming that night), the device will detect atleast the second round of REM or at later REM cycles (this mayoptionally be a setting of the training process at the user's discretionperhaps). Upon detection by the SmD of the particular REM cycles, theprocessor of the SmD may generate the sound or soundscape (e.g., orcontrol playing it through a speaker) and hopefully the user willrealize they are dreaming. Optionally, the processor may controlactivating of a small burst of light instead of, or in addition to, thesound/soundscape. The levels of sound and/or light may be a setting andmay be sufficiently low in order not to wake user (e.g. <25 dB) but maybe adjusted/changed by a user in settings for the process.

Further Example Advice Process—Triaging Sleep Issues

In one example, the advice engine may be configured to recognize “riskysleep” such as sleep that may be indicative of a sleep disorder and/orsleep disordered breathing (SDB) issues. Such an SDB pathway may combineinformation on unusual breathing and movements. Based on observedfragmented sleep and minimum deep sleep, a lifestyle questionnaire maybe presented to the user (a breathing stability metric may also beincluded). This query connects a user to an appropriate solution logicpathway based on an automatic analysis of their setup questionnaire,advice, and sleep data into different categories such as “risky sleep”or “sleep optimiser”. Additional categories may also be included.

Such a triage process 4802 may be considered with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 48. This illustrates an overall flow of ‘sleep issue’identification. By combining the data gathered at process 4801 by thedevice/unit and responses to queries, a triage process 4802 may beinitiated by a server, such as a backend system server. The triageprocess may decide between a risky sleep and normal sleep conditions. Asa result of such flow processing logic, the triage engine may direct theadvice engine to a normal user process and may as a consequence lead toa generation of the advice previously described for sleep optimization.However, the triage process may also lead to various risky sleep adviceprocesses 4803 for generating advice for risky sleep users wheredetected data suggesting risky sleep. Such a detection may result inadvice or reports concerning the ‘risky sleep’ being potentiallygenerated. Some such risky sleep characterizations may include, forexample, snoring, Chronic Insomnia, and other issues.

In one example, an optional triage process of the advice engine can beinitiated, such as by a Backend server or other cloud server, and caninvolve sending a notification (to the app of the SmD or an email) witha link to the user to download a report. The user may then be directedto request a Report for Discussion with their Physician (doctor'sreport) document (printable web page and/or PDF). The user can then viewtheir data in a visually appealing and informative manner on thewebsite. The system may automatically select such a report to send tothe user from this notification based on logic applied to their sleeprelated data. The triage process of one or more processors may detect,for example, either “normal sleep” or “risky sleep” and generate outputfor user with the classification. The methodology of this process, whichmay also be referred to as a “risky sleep engine,” may include analysisof input from a set-up profile concerning user responses to risky sleeprelated questions of a questionnaire. The processing of the triageprocess may also evaluate any one or more of the following risky sleepindicators: Sleep duration (time asleep); Time in bed; Difference intime to bed; Deep sleep percentage and/or minutes; REM sleep percentageand/or minutes; Sleep efficiency; sleep disruptions, etc. The result ofthe analysis may be the output report and/or a communications link, sucha via a website, to a sleep clinic or specialist, which may depend onthe detected sleep issue.

FIG. 49 illustrates a flow of information that may concern triagingrisky sleep. Consumers 4902 using the present technology (e.g., sleepdetection monitor 4904) may experience sleep issues such as fallingasleep, staying asleep, waking up tired, irritability, snoring, etc.This may be detected with percentage threshold, e.g., falling asleep 40%of the time. Other percentages than those listed may be utilized assuitable. Such information may be input and/or detected (e.g., sleeppatterns) by the BeD and SmD system (sleep detection monitor 4904). Suchinput may optionally include responses to an electronic “Stop-bang” orother form of questionnaire, survey or other screening informationgathering tool for sleep apnea diagnosis. This monitor stage may beconsidered a ‘Pre Triage’ phase. The users that have been identified asto have ‘risky sleep’ may then be informed, and there may be atransition from pretriage to triage stage 4906 where further processingmay occur such as further queries and information (e.g., directing riskyusers to further informational solutions 4908 such as those at internetor web sites so as to guide the user to solutions for the user). Thismay optionally include facilitating the user in contacting a clinic orspecialist.

Such a process may be further considered in reference to FIG. 50. Here amonitoring device 5002 (e.g., SmD and/or BeD or other server components)may include or be part of an advice engine as previously described. Theadvice engine based on the analysis of collected data, as described inmore detail herein, may conduct a pre-triage process to categorize sleeppatterns, trends and/or user input of the user as either “severe” or“mild/moderate” sleep issues. Mild or moderate classification adviceprocess 5006 may trigger processing operations that generate advicedirected to sleep optimization as previously discussed. However, asevere classification advice process 5008 may trigger processingoperations, such as with triage process server 5004 that generate advicedirected to sleep optimization and/or further advice processes directedto obtaining diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing or other sleeprelated health condition (e.g., risky sleep) such as obstructive sleepapnea processing, snoring processing, Chronic insomnia processing, etc.

FIG. 51 illustrates further operations associated with an example advicetriaging process such when an OSA/SDB process 5102, snoring process5103, chronic insomnia process 5104 and normal user process 5105 aretriggered. This diagram represents some of the ‘sleep issues’ that maybe detected by the Risky Sleep engine. Once the triage process 5100 isinitiated different pathways are implemented based on the type of ‘riskysleep’ identified. This facilitates the user in receiving theappropriate advice and support required if a sleep issue is detected.

For example, in the risk of OSA process 5102 issues concerning unusualbreathing, movement (e.g., including period leg movement), snoring,fragmented sleep and/or low deep sleep are evaluated or checked at 5109.If a significant issue relating to OSA is found, at referral process5110 a referral notification such as to promote contact with a SDB sleepspecialist. If not significant, only a mild OSA issue is detected then adifferent evaluation process may be considered such as by redirectingthe analysis at 5112 to a chronic insomnia process 5104 or normal userprocess 5105.

In the snoring process 5103, audio analysis (e.g., recorded snoringaudio) data and its synchronization with respiratory patterns and/orsleep disturbances may be checked at 5114. If mild snoring issues areconfirmed at 5116 advice for snoring related services or products may betriggered.

In the Chronic Insomnia process 5104, sleep patterns may be assessedalong with other query-based response data such as from a triggeredcognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) query (e.g., electronic, online,or phone based) at 5120. If an insomnia issue is detected, an advicereferral message to a sleep insomnia specialist may be generated.

In the normal user process 5105, advice as previously described forsleep optimization may be provided. Such normal users may optionallyinclude users being treated for sleep apnea with, for example, apositive airway pressure PAP treatment device or CPAP device. At 5122,such a treatment device user may be found to have a mild sleep issuesuch as from the detection processes previously describe (e.g., highdisturbance count). In such a case, at 5124 further devices and/orservices may be recommended in a generated advice message so that theuser may obtain help to assess whether a more suitable treatment devicemay be obtained to better promote sleep.

Outputs from the various data pathways may then be recorded for trendanalysis in trend update process at 5125. As illustrated at 5126, inputfor the diagnostic screenings/evaluations of any of the triage processesmay include information concerning identified or detected sleepdisordered breathing SDB events, Chenye Stokes respiration (CSR) events,periodic leg movement events, elevated breathing rate events. It mayfurther include identified fatigue, such as chronic or acute fatiguesuch as identified by a fatigue management system.

Example “Risky Sleep Engine” processing:

An example processing methodology for a risky sleep engine may now beconsidered.

In one example illustrated in the example of FIG. 53, a risky sleepengine 5300 system capable of the risky sleep assessment methodologywith one or more processors may include a batch process component 5301,a decision component 5302 and a notification component 5303. The batchprocess component may perform any of the following steps:

(1) Scheduled task executes;

(2) Check progress of last related task;

(3) Access data from database 5305 (e.g., biomotion data, environmentaldata, etc.)

(4) Begin data processing;

(5) Add results to database (processed biomotion data, processedenvironmental data)

(6) Call “Decision Engine”

(7) Call “Notification”

(8) Update progress record

(9) Complete;

The decision engine process component 5302 may perform any of thefollowing steps:

-   -   (1) access data of database (e.g., hypnogram(s);        questionnaire(s) user parameters (demographics); processed        bio-motion data; processed environmental data, etc.);    -   (2) apply probabilistic model to estimate “risky sleep”        probability with accessed data; and    -   (3) update database with results.

The notification process component 5303 may involve any of the followingsteps:

-   -   (1) Check user notification flags in database “Risky sleep        table”;    -   (2) Call notification service (e.g., Apple/Google        notification/push notification to phone (to identify that a new        sleep report is available and/or send the report), etc.); and    -   (3) Call electronic message service 5308 (e.g., email via send        grid service and/or push notification email to user (to identify        that a new sleep report is available or send the report)).

An example estimate model of risky sleep for the decision engine processcomponent may be considered with reference to the following table andthe flow chart illustrated in FIG. 52. Generally, classification ofrisky sleep may be based on a number of data inputs, and may includequestionnaires such as pre-sleep and user profiles, sleep score resultsand data input from the batch process. The decision engine analyses thestored user data, applies probabilistic model and estimates theprobability of risky sleep. It then updates the user's database. Flagsset in the database—which could be formed in a Risky Sleep Table—caninitiate different methods to alert the user. For example, they mayinitiate a push notification or email communication.

The risky sleep table below illustrates example sleep information(parameters or features) that may be applied to detect a risky sleep.The parameters or features 5201 can be tailored to the population, andto normative values for the users (both by region, and/or gender, and/orage). Questionnaire data, demographics and other elements have not beenincluded in this example but may also be included in the analysis. Foreach feature, two “bands” are implemented as low risk (a value of “0”)and moderate risk (a value of “0.5”). Areas outside of these bands aredefined as high risk (a value of “1”). Additionally, a weighting factor(a multiplier) by a weighting component 5202 may be applied (e.g., theweighting for “Deep Sleep Minutes” is “3” or ×3). As shown in FIG. 52,these, and additional, weighed features may then be classified (e.g., bya suitable probability classifier 5205) so that a decision as to aparticular risky sleep category may be made by a decision process 5206.Collectively, the values may then serve as a trigger for selecting riskysleep advice described in more detail herein.

Risky Sleep Table Parameter Feature a b c d e f Questionnaire 0 3 3 5 8 8 12 (for n = 8) Delta to sunset (hrs) 0 3 3 4 4  12+ 0.5 Difference intime to −1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 12 2 bed (hrs) −1.5 −2.0 −2.0 −12  REMsleep % 15 25 12 15 0 12 1 25 28 28 100  Deep sleep % 15 25 10 15 0 10 325 30 30 100  REM sleep (mins) 70 110 50 70 0 50 1 110 130 130 600+ Deepsleep (mins) 70 110 50 70 0 50 3 110 130 130 600+ Time in bed (hrs) 7 126 7 0  7 1 12 13 13  24+ Time asleep (hrs) 6 9 5.5 6 0   5.5 2 9 9.5 9.5 24+ Sleep efficiency % 80 100 75 80 0 75 3 Disruptions # 0 10 10 13 13100+ 6 Processed disruption 0 14 14 17 17 180  24 index Processedbreathing 0 19 19 23 23 60 3 rate

This disclosure details various methodologies any of which can beimplemented by a system of one or more processors. It will be understoodthat such a processing apparatus may include integrated chips, a memoryand/or other control instruction, data or information storage medium forcarrying out such methodologies. For example, programmed instructionsencompassing the methodologies may be coded on integrated chips in thememory of the device or apparatus to form an application specificintegrated chip (ASIC). Such instructions may also or alternatively beloaded as software or firmware using an appropriate data storage medium.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise and where a range ofvalues is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to thetenth of the unit of the lower limit, between the upper and lower limitof that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that statedrange is encompassed within the technology.

The upper and lower limits of these intervening ranges, which may beindependently included in the intervening ranges, are also encompassedwithin the technology, subject to any specifically excluded limit in thestated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits,ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are alsoincluded in the technology.

Furthermore, where a value or values are stated herein as beingimplemented as part of the technology, it is understood that such valuesmay be approximated, unless otherwise stated, and such values may beutilized to any suitable significant digit to the extent that apractical technical implementation may permit or require it.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this technology belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present technology, a limitednumber of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

When a particular material is identified as being preferably used toconstruct a component, obvious alternative materials with similarproperties may be used as a substitute. Furthermore, unless specified tothe contrary, any and all components herein described are understood tobe capable of being manufactured and, as such, may be manufacturedtogether or separately.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include their plural equivalents,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference todisclose and describe the methods and/or materials which are the subjectof those publications. The publications discussed herein are providedsolely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the presentapplication. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that thepresent technology is not entitled to antedate such publication byvirtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication providedmay be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to beindependently confirmed.

Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should beinterpreted in the broadest reasonable manner consistent with thecontext. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should beinterpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in anon-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

The subject headings used in the detailed description are included onlyfor the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limitthe subject matter found throughout the disclosure or the claims. Thesubject headings should not be used in construing the scope of theclaims or the claim limitations.

Although the technology herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thetechnology. In some instances, the terminology and symbols may implyspecific details that are not required to practice the technology. Forexample, although the terms “first” and “second” may be used, unlessotherwise specified, they are not intended to indicate any order but maybe utilised to distinguish between distinct elements. Furthermore,although process steps in the methodologies may be described orillustrated in an order, such an ordering is not required. Those skilledin the art will recognize that such ordering may be modified and/oraspects thereof may be conducted concurrently or even synchronously.

It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be madeto the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may bedevised without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.

Further examples of the technology may be considered by the followingdescriptive paragraphs and following claims.

Embodiment 1

A method for reducing a user's breathing rate in order to induce sleep,the method comprising:

providing at least one sensory input to the user to reduce the user'sbreathing rate, the at least one sensory input being characterised by atleast one parameter;

monitoring the user's breathing rate to provide feedback for the sensoryinput; and

modifying a value of at least one of the at least one parameter based onthe feedback.

Embodiment 2

The method of Embodiment 1 wherein an initial value of the at least oneparameter of the sensory input is calculated on a basis of monitoringthe user's breathing rate at a start of a current sleep session and/orof one or more previous sleep sessions.

Embodiment 3

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 2, wherein the sensory inputcomprises at least one of an audio signal and a video signal.

Embodiment 4

The method of Embodiment 3, wherein the sensory input comprises at leastone of the following: a light of controlled colour and/or intensity,and/or a sound characterised by at least one of a controlled audiofrequency, volume and rhythm, wherein a modification includes at leastone of changing the colour and/or intensity of the light and/or theaudio frequency, volume and/or the rhythm of the sound.

Embodiment 5

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, the method furthercomprising modifying the at least one parameter periodically or in acontinuous manner.

Embodiment 6

The method of Embodiment 5, wherein the at least one parameter ismodified at a predetermined time interval.

Embodiment 7

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 6 wherein the modifying the atleast one parameter is paused or reset, if feedback indicates that auser's breathing rate does not decrease or that it decreases too slowlywith regards to change in the parameter of the sensory input.

Embodiment 8

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the modifying theat least one parameter is paused or reset, if feedback indicates that adifference between a user's breathing rate and a rate associated withthe at least one parameter stops to decrease or starts to increase.

Embodiment 9

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the monitoring isconducted by way of at least one RF sensor.

Embodiment 10

The method of any one of Embodiments 5 to 9, wherein the providing ofthe least one sensory input is terminated when the monitoring indicatesthat a predetermined breathing rate has been reached and/or maintainedfor a predetermined time.

Embodiment 11

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, the method furthercomprising monitoring in a non-contact manner at least one physiologicaland/or environmental parameter associated with the user, in addition touser's breathing rate.

Embodiment 12

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein implementation ofthe method is initiated or terminated, depending on the presence/absencestatus of the user.

Embodiment 13

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 12, wherein implementation ofthe method is initiated or terminated, depending on a sleep statusassociated with the user.

Embodiment 14

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein implementation ofthe method is started and/or terminated at a predetermined time afterthe start of the sleep session.

Embodiment 15

The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the method furthercomprises an alarm function prompting the user to initiate the method ata predetermined time.

Embodiment 16

The method of Embodiment 15, further comprising measuring at least onesubjective and/or at least one objective measure associated with theuser to trigger the alarm function.

Embodiment 17

The method of Embodiment 16, wherein the at least one subjective measureincludes one of sleep latency and sleep quality, and the at least oneobjective measure includes one of perceived stress level and perceivedtime taken to fall asleep.

Embodiment 18

A method for user data management comprising;

acquiring data associated with at least one respiratory and/or sleepparameter related to a user;

processing the acquired data;

obtaining, on a basis of the processing, an indication of a possibleabnormal condition of the user; and

notifying the user of the possible abnormal condition.

Embodiment 19

The method of Embodiment 18, further comprising generating, based on atleast some of the acquired and/or processed data, a report to the userin a form suitable for forwarding to a third party for diagnostic.

Embodiment 20

The method of Embodiment 18 or Embodiment 19, further comprisingproviding the user with a report of the possible abnormal condition ofthe user in a format suitable for printing or for electronic forwardingto a third party.

Embodiment 21

The method of any one of Embodiments 18 to 20, further comprisingproviding the user with at least one of the following:

information relevant to the possible abnormal condition;

websites relevant to the abnormal condition; and

contact information of one or more parties that may be able to assistthe user with evaluating and/or treating the possible abnormalcondition.

Embodiment 22

The method of any one of Embodiments 18 to 21, wherein the abnormalcondition is one of a sleep disorder, cardio/respiratory disorder and/orsnoring.

Embodiment 23

The method of any one of Embodiments 18 to 22, wherein the acquired datais transmitted to and processed at a data processing centre remote fromthe user.

Embodiment 24

The method of any one of Embodiments 18 to 23, wherein the acquired dataalso comprises at least one parameter associated with the user'senvironment.

Embodiment 25

A method for estimating sleep latency of a user, the method comprising:

measuring at least one parameter associated with a user's breathingand/or movement;

detecting a change from wakefulness to “stage 1” light sleep, based onanalysis of the at least one measured parameter; and

estimating the sleep latency of the user based on a time that it takesfor the change from wakefulness to “stage 1” light sleep to take place.

Embodiment 26

The method of Embodiment 25, wherein at least one parameter relates toone of breathing frequency, amplitude and burstiness.

Embodiment 27

The method of Embodiment 25 or Embodiment 26, further comprisinganalyzing a combined nature of movement pattern and breathing rate valueand waveform shape to classify sleep onset.

Embodiment 28

A method for managing user's naps, the method comprising:

recording data associated with at least one base parameter associatedwith a user's sleep history; and

calculating, on a basis of the recorded data, at least one optimisedparameter associated with the user's future naps.

Embodiment 29

The method of Embodiment 28, wherein at least one of the at least onebase parameter or of the at least one optimized parameter is associatedwith one of: the time when the user wakes up from night sleep, the timewhen the user goes to bed for a nap, the time when the user wakes upfrom a nap, and the nap duration.

Embodiment 30

The method of Embodiment 28 or Embodiment 29, the method furthercomprising setting an automatic alarm and/or recommending the optimizedparameter to the user for the purposes of one or more future naps.

Embodiment 31

The method of any one of Embodiments 28 to Embodiment 30, the methodfurther comprising reminding the user of the optimized time when theuser should go to bed for a nap, either a predetermined time before theoptimized nap time or on the basis of a time determined by way ofprocessing user historical sleep data.

Embodiment 32

The method of any one of Embodiments 28 to 31, wherein the dataassociated with at least one base parameter is recorded by way of acontactless sensor.

Embodiment 33

A method for controlling the operation of a contactless sensor formeasuring at least one user physiological parameter and/or movementparameter, the method comprising;

measuring, with the sensor, at least one parameter associated with apresence/absence status and/or a sleep status of the user;

processing the at least one measured parameter to determine thepresence/absence status and/or the sleep status of the user; and

initiating at least one of starting and terminating the operation of thesensor, depending on the determined presence/absence and/or a sleepstatus.

Embodiment 34

The method of Embodiment 33, wherein a probability of the user'sabsence/presence is determined based on the detection of characteristicbreathing signals and/or gross large scale movements.

Embodiment 35

The method of Embodiment 33 or Embodiment 34, wherein a hysteresis isused to reject an occurrence where the user enters a room for a briefperiod and then leaves again.

Embodiment 36

The method of any one of Embodiments 33 to 35, further comprising usinga light sensor to detect if the room light is switched on or off, andcomparing to previously recorded user data to assist in determining thepresence/absence status and/or the sleep status of the user.

Embodiment 37

The method of any one of Embodiments 33 to 36, the method furthercomprising calculating a ‘target time’ related to the user going to bedand/or waking up, to reduce a search window for an auto-start and/orauto-stop function.

Embodiment 38

The method of any one of Embodiments 33 to 38, wherein the sleep statusis associated with a current sleep stage of the user.

Embodiment 39

The method of Embodiment 38 wherein the sleep stage of the user is oneof: light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep.

Embodiment 40

An apparatus for reducing a user's breathing rate in order to inducesleep, the apparatus comprising;

an output device for providing at least one sensory input to the user,the at least one sensory input being characterised by at least oneparameter;

a sensor for detecting the user's breathing rate, and

a controller to receive data from the sensor, to process the sensor dataand to modify, based on the processed sensor data, at least one of theat least one parameter to reduce the user's breathing rate.

Embodiment 41

An apparatus for user data management comprising;

at least one sensor for acquiring data associated with at least onerespiratory and/or sleep parameter related to the user;

a processor for processing the acquired data and obtaining, on a basisof the processing, an indication of a possible abnormal condition of theuser; and

an interface for notifying the user of the possible abnormal condition.

Embodiment 42

The apparatus of Embodiment 41 wherein the processor is located on aremote server.

Embodiment 43

The apparatus of Embodiment 42, wherein the processor is arranged togenerate, based on at least some of the acquired and/or processed data,a report to the user in a form suitable for forwarding to a third partyfor diagnostic.

Embodiment 44

An apparatus for estimating sleep latency of a user, the apparatuscomprising:

at least one sensor for measuring at least one parameter associated witha user's breathing and/or movement; and

a processor for:

-   -   processing the measured data for detecting a change from        wakefulness to “stage 1” light sleep; and    -   estimating sleep latency of the user based on the time that it        takes for the change from wakefulness to “stage 1” light sleep        to take place.

Embodiment 45

The apparatus of Embodiment 44, wherein the at least one parameterrelates to one of breathing frequency, amplitude and burstiness.

Embodiment 46

An apparatus for managing user's naps, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor for detecting data associated with at least one base parameterassociated with the user's sleep history;

memory for saving the detected data; and

a processor for calculating, on the basis of the saved data, at leastone optimised parameter associated with the user's future naps.

Embodiment 47

An apparatus for measuring at least one user physiological parameterand/or movement parameter, the apparatus comprising;

a sensor for measuring at least one parameter associated with apresence/absence status and/or a sleep status of the user; and

a processor for:

-   -   processing the at least one measured parameter to determine the        presence/absence status and/or the sleep status of the user; and    -   initiating at least one of starting and terminating operation of        the sensor, depending on the determined presence/absence and/or        a sleep status.

Embodiment 48

The apparatus of Embodiment 47, wherein the processor determines aprobability of the user's absence/presence based on the detection ofcharacteristic breathing signals and/or gross large scale movements.

Embodiment 49

An apparatus arranged to detect at least one physiological and/orenvironmental parameter related to a user, the apparatus comprising;

a sensor for detecting data related to the at least one physiologicaland/or environmental parameter,

a data storage device configured to record the detected data; and

a transmitter for transmitting data collected from a user to a remotedata monitoring/processing centre, and for receiving instructions fromthe remote data monitoring/processing centre to the monitoring systemand/or the user.

Embodiment 50

An method for detecting at least one physiological and/or environmentalparameter related to a user, the method comprising:

detecting the at least one physiological and/or environmental parameter;

recording data of the detected at least one physiological and/orenvironmental parameter; and

with a transmitter, transmitting data collected from a user to a remotedata monitoring/processing centre, and for receiving instructions fromthe remote data monitoring/processing centre to the monitoring systemand/or the user.

Embodiment 51

A system to promote sleep comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

-   -   access measured sleep data representing user movement detected        by a movement sensor, and sleep factors determined with features        derived from the measured data;    -   access measured environmental data representing ambient sleep        conditions;    -   access input user lifestyle data on a sleep session-by-sleep        session basis; and    -   evaluate the sleep factors to detect a sleep issue;    -   evaluate the measured environmental data and the input user        lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of the        detected sleep issue; and    -   generate one or more advice messages associated with the        selected one, the advice messages including advice content for        promoting sleep.

Embodiment 52

The system of Embodiment 51 wherein the generated one or more advicemessages comprise a series of advice messages over time consecutivelygenerated upon continued detection of the sleep issue.

Embodiment 53

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 52 wherein the measuredenvironmental data comprises one or more of detected light, detectedsound and detected temperature.

Embodiment 54

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 53 wherein the sleep factorscomprise one or more of sleep latency, REM sleep time, deep sleep timeand number of sleep interruptions.

Embodiment 55

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 54 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises any one or more of a REM time too short condition, a REMtime too long condition and a REM time fragmented condition.

Embodiment 56

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 55 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises any one or more of a deep sleep time too shortcondition, a deep sleep time too long condition and deep sleep timefragmented condition.

Embodiment 57

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 56 wherein a detected sleepissue is that the user's sleep comprises too many interruptions.

Embodiment 58

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 57 wherein the evaluation ofthe measured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data toselect one as a most likely cause of the detected sleep issue comprisescalculating probabilities.

Embodiment 59

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 58 wherein the generation ofan advice message comprises triggering a push notification.

Embodiment 60

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 59 wherein the evaluation ofthe measured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data toselect one as a most likely cause of the detected sleep issue furtherincludes an evaluation of historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.

Embodiment 61

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 60 further comprising one ormore processors configured to execute a triage process, the triageprocess comprising a probability determination based on the detectedsleep issue to determine a risky sleep condition, the probabilitydetermination comprising calculating a probability of one or more of arisk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoring and a risk of chronic insomnia.

Embodiment 62

The system of Embodiment 61 wherein the triage process triggersgeneration of a report with information concerning the risky sleepcondition to facilitate access to a sleep health specialist.

Embodiment 63

The system of Embodiment 62 wherein the triage process triggersgeneration of the report based on a comparison of a threshold with acalculated probability value.

Embodiment 64

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 63 wherein the one or moreprocessors configured to generate one or more advice messages is furtherconfigured to generate the one or more advice messages based on adetected location.

Embodiment 65

The system of Embodiment 64 wherein generated advice message comprisescontent to promote sleep for jet lag upon detection of a change in timezone.

Embodiment 66

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 64 wherein the one or moreprocessors are in at least one server.

Embodiment 67

The system of any one of Embodiments 51 to 64 wherein the one or moreprocessors are in at least one smart device or smart phone.

Embodiment 68

A method for an electronic system to promote sleep with one or moreprocessors, the method comprising any one or more of:

accessing measured data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor;

accessing determined sleep factors with features derived from themeasured data;

accessing measured environmental data representing ambient sleepconditions;

accessing input user lifestyle data input on a sleep session-by-sleepsession basis;

evaluating the sleep factors to detect a sleep issue;

evaluating with a processor the measured environmental data and theinput user lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue; and

generating one or more electronic advice messages associated with theselected one, the advice messages including advice content for promotingsleep.

Embodiment 69

The method of Embodiment 68 wherein generating one or more advicemessages comprises generating a series of advice messages over timeconsecutively upon continued detection of the sleep issue

Embodiment 70

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 69 wherein the environmentaldata comprises one or more of detected light, detected sound anddetected temperature.

Embodiment 71

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 70 wherein the sleep factorscomprises one or more of: REM sleep time, deep sleep time, and too manysleep interruptions.

Embodiment 72

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 71 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises any one or more of a REM time too short condition, a REMtime too long condition and a REM time fragmented condition.

Embodiment 73

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 72 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises any one or more of a Deep sleep time too shortcondition, a deep sleep time too long condition and deep sleep timefragmented condition.

Embodiment 74

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 73 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises too many interruptions.

Embodiment 75

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 74 wherein the evaluating ofthe measured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data toselect one as a most likely cause of the detected sleep issue comprisescalculating probabilities.

Embodiment 76

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 75 the generating of theadvice message comprises triggering a push notification.

Embodiment 77

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 76 wherein (a) accessingmeasured data representing user movement detected by a movement sensor,(b) processing the measured data to determine sleep factors withfeatures derived from the measured data, and (c) prompting for input ofuser lifestyle data on a sleep session-by-sleep session basis are eachexecuted by processor control instructions of a smart device.

Embodiment 78

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 77 wherein (a) evaluating thesleep factors to detect a sleep issue, (b) evaluating the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data to select one as amost likely cause of the detected sleep issue and (c) generating one ormore advice messages associated with the selected one, are executed byprocesses of one or more networked servers.

Embodiment 79

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 78 wherein evaluation of themeasured environmental data and the input user lifestyle data to selectone as a most likely cause of the detected sleep issue further includesevaluating historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.

Embodiment 80

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 79 further comprisingexecuting a triage process, the triage process comprising determiningprobabilities based on the detected sleep issue to determine a riskysleep condition, the determined probabilities comprising a probabilityof one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoring and a risk ofchronic insomnia

Embodiment 81

The method of Embodiment 80 wherein the triage process triggersgeneration of a report with information concerning the risky sleepcondition to facilitate access to a sleep health specialist.

Embodiment 82

The method of Embodiment 81 wherein the triage process triggersgeneration of the report based on a comparison of a threshold with acalculated probability value.

Embodiment 83

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 82 further comprisinggenerating one or more of the advice messages based on a detectedlocation.

Embodiment 84

The method of Embodiment 83 further comprising detecting a change intime zone with the detected location and wherein a generated advicemessage comprises content to promote sleep for jet lag upon detection ofa change in time zone.

Embodiment 85

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 84 wherein the one or moreprocessors are in at least one server or one or more networked servers.

Embodiment 86

The method of any one of Embodiments 68 to 84 wherein the one or moreprocessors are in at least one smart device or one smart phone.

REFERENCES

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1. Apparatus for inducing relaxation in a user comprising: a speaker toplay a sound of a sound file; and a processor coupled with the speaker,the processor configured to repeatedly play the sound file through thespeaker and to repeatedly adjust a period of the sound file, wherein thesound file comprises an exhalation cue portion and an inhalation cueportion, the exhalation cue portion and the inhalation cue portion beingin a fixed ratio throughout repeated playing and repeated adjustment ofthe sound file.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ratio of theexhalation cue to the inhalation cue is about 1 to 1.4.
 3. The apparatusof any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the repeated playing and therepeated adjustment of the sound file comprises initially playing thesound file with the sound file set to a first time length for a firstperiod of playing time and thereafter increasing the first time lengthof the file to a second longer time length and repeatedly playing thesound file with the second longer time length for a second period ofplaying time.
 4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, theapparatus being configured to repeatedly play and repeatedly adjust thesound file until the adjustment of the period of the sound file meets athreshold.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the threshold comprises arepetition per minute minimum threshold.
 6. The apparatus of any one ofclaims 4 to 5 wherein the processor is further configured to graduallyreduce volume of the played sound file through the speaker during afurther period of time, after the adjustment of the period of the soundfile meets the threshold.
 7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6further comprising a movement sensor, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured: to determine a measure of respiration with the movementsensor, and to set the period of the sound file as a function of thedetermined measure of respiration.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:the processor sets a period of the sound file as a function of themeasure of respiration once only, before initiating the repeatedadjusting of the period of the sound file; and the repeated adjusting ofthe period of the sound file comprises an adjustment of the period ofthe sound file by a fixed predetermined change.
 9. The apparatus of anyone of claims 7 to 8 wherein the processor is further configured todetermine a measure of sleep or wake of the user, with the movementsensor, and wherein the processor is further configured to: graduallyreduce volume of the played sound file through the speaker during afurther first period of time, if sleep is detected, and either delay agradual reduction in volume or gradually reduce volume of the playedsound file through the speaker during a further second period of time,if awake is detected, the further second period of time being differentfrom the further first period.
 10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1to 9, wherein each adjustment of the period of the sound filesubstantially maintains pitch of any sounds of the sound file.
 11. Amethod of a processor for an apparatus for inducing relaxation in a usercomprising: with a processor, repeatedly playing a sound file through aspeaker and repeatedly adjusting a period of the sound file, wherein thesound file comprises an exhalation cue portion and an inhalation cueportion, the exhalation cue portion and the inhalation cue portion beingin a fixed ratio throughout repeated playing and repeated adjustment ofthe sound file.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the ratio of theexhalation cue to the inhalation cue is about 1 to 1.4.
 13. The methodof any one of claims 11 to 12 wherein the repeated playing and therepeated adjusting of the sound file comprises initially playing thesound file with the sound file set to a first time length for a firstperiod of playing time and thereafter increasing the first time lengthof the file to a second longer time length and repeatedly playing thesound file with the second longer time length for a second period ofplaying time.
 14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein theprocessor repeated plays and repeatedly adjusts the sound file until theadjustment of the period of the sound file meets a threshold.
 15. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the threshold comprises a repetition perminute minimum threshold.
 16. The method of any one of claims 14 to 15wherein the processor gradually reduces volume of the played sound filethrough the speaker during a further period of time after the adjustmentof the period of the sound file meets the threshold.
 17. The method ofany one of claims 11 to 16 further wherein the processor determines ameasure of respiration with a movement sensor, and wherein the processorsets a period of the sound file as a function of the determined measureof respiration.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the processor sets aperiod of the sound file as a function of the measure of respirationonce only, before initiating the repeated adjusting of the period of thesound file and wherein the repeated adjusting of the period of the soundfile comprises an adjustment of the period of the sound file by a fixedpredetermined change.
 19. The method of any one of claims 17 to 18wherein the processor determines a measure of sleep or wake of the userwith a movement sensor, and wherein the processor: gradually reducesvolume of the played sound file through the speaker during a furtherfirst period of time, if sleep is detected; and either gradually reducesvolume of the played sound file through the speaker during a furthersecond period of time, the further second period being different fromthe further first period, or delays a gradual reduction in volume, ifawake is detected.
 20. The method of any one of claims 11 to 19, whereineach adjustment of the period of the sound file maintains pitch of anysounds of the sound file.
 21. An apparatus to promote sleep of a usercomprising: a microphone to sense voice of the user; and a processorcoupled with the microphone and configured to receive signals generatedby a sensor and indicative of motion of a user, the processor beingfurther configured to analyze the received signals and detect sleepinformation from the signals, and wherein the processor, upon receivingan activation signal, is further configured to record a voice soundmessage of the user and store data of the voice sound message in amemory coupled to the processor, whereby a user may record thoughts soas to clear a mind of the user and promote sleep.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 21 wherein the processor is further configured to play therecorded voice sound message with a speaker of the apparatus.
 23. Theapparatus of any one of claims 21 to 22 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to control a conversion of the voice sound message to a textmessage and store it as data in the memory.
 24. The apparatus of claim23 wherein the processor is configured to initiate transfer of the textmessage to the user.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the transfercomprises an SMS or an email communication.
 26. The apparatus of any oneof claims 21 to 25 wherein the activation signal comprises a voiceactivation signal, whereby the processor, with the microphone, detects avoice command of the user to initiate a voice recording process.
 27. Amethod of a processor for promoting sleep of a user comprising: with aprocessor, analyzing signals from a motion sensor to detect sleepinformation from the signals, with the processor, upon receiving anactivation signal, recording by a microphone a voice sound message ofthe user and storing data of the voice sound message in a memory coupledto the processor, whereby a user may record thoughts so as to clear amind of the user and promote sleep.
 28. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising playing, with the processor, the recorded voice sound messagethrough a speaker.
 29. The method of any one of claims 27 to 28 furthercomprising with a processor controlling a conversion of the voice soundmessage to a text message and storing it as data in the memory.
 30. Themethod of claim 29 further comprising with a processor initiating atransfer of the text message to the user.
 31. The method of claim 30wherein the transfer comprises an SMS or an email communication.
 32. Themethod of any one of claims 27 to 31 wherein the activation signalcomprises a voice activation signal, whereby the processor detects, witha microphone, a voice command of the user to initiate a voice recordingprocess.
 33. An apparatus to promote sleep of a user comprising: analarm device to generate an alarm to wake user, and a processorconfigured to: prompt a user to input a wake-up time and a wake-up timewindow, the wake-up time window ending with the wake-up time; receivesignals from a motion sensor, the signals being indicative of motion ofthe user; detect sleep information with an analysis of the receivedsignals indicative of motion; and trigger activation of the alarm deviceas a function of the sleep information and a function of the wake-upwindow and the wake-up time, wherein the function of the sleepinformation and the function of the wake-up window and the wake-up timecomprise detecting the user being in a light sleep stage during thewake-up window.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the function ofthe sleep information further comprises presence in a light sleep stagefor at least a certain length of time or number of epochs.
 35. Theapparatus of any one of claims 33 to 34 wherein the function of thesleep information further comprises satisfying a minimum amount of totalsleep time.
 36. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein theprocessor is further configured to trigger activation of the alarmdevice with a probability function configured to randomize activation ofthe alarm.
 37. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 36 wherein theprocessor is further configured to trigger activation of the alarmdevice upon detection of absence of the user during the wake-up window.38. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 37 wherein the processor isfurther configured to trigger activation of the alarm device upondetection of an awake state of the user during the wake-up window. 39.The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 38 wherein the alarm device isconfigured to generate any one or more of an audible sound alarm and avisible light alarm.
 40. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 39wherein the function of the wake-up window and the wake-up timecomprises a plurality of comparisons of current time with the wake-upwindow and the wake-up time to ensure triggering of the alarm within thewake-up window and by the wake-up time.
 41. A method of processor topromote sleep of a user comprising, with a processor coupled with amotion sensor: prompting a user to input a wake-up time and a wake-uptime window, the wake-up time window ending with the wake-up time;receiving signals from a motion sensor, the signals being indicative ofmotion of the user; detecting sleep information with an analysis of thesignals indicative of motion; and triggering activation of an alarmdevice as a function of the sleep information and a function of thewake-up window and the wake-up time, wherein the function of the sleepinformation and the function of the wake-up window and the wake-up timecomprises detecting the user being in a light sleep stage during thewake-up window.
 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the function of thesleep information further comprises presence in a light sleep stage forat least a certain length of time.
 43. The method of any one of claims41 to 42 wherein the function of the sleep information further comprisessatisfying a minimum amount of total sleep time.
 44. The method of anyone of claims 41 to 43 wherein processor triggers activation of thealarm device with a probability function that randomizes activation ofthe alarm.
 45. The method of any one of claims 41 to 44 wherein theprocessor evaluates whether to trigger activation of the alarm devicewith detection of absence of a user during the wake-up window.
 46. Themethod of any one of claims 41 to 45 wherein the processor evaluateswhether to trigger activation of the alarm device with detection of anawake state of the user during the wake-up window.
 47. The method of anyone of claims 41 to 46 wherein the alarm device generates any one ormore of an audible sound alarm and a visible light alarm.
 48. The methodof any one of claims 41 to 47 wherein the function of the wake-up windowand the wake-up time comprises a plurality of comparisons of currenttime with the wake-up window and the wake-up time to ensure triggeringof the alarm within the wake-up window and by the wake-up time.
 49. Anapparatus to promote a user's sleep comprising: a processor adapted toaccess measured data representing user movement detected by a movementsensor, the processor configured to process the measured data anddetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data;the processor further configured to generate one or more indicatorsincluding a sleep score indicator, mind recharge indicator and bodyrecharge indicator based on the determined sleep factors; and a displayfor displaying the one or more indicators.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49wherein the processor controls the display of the sleep score andwherein the sleep factors from which the sleep score is based includetwo or more of total sleep time, deep sleep time, REM sleep time andlight sleep time, wake after sleep onset time and sleep onset time. 51.The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 50 wherein the featurescomprise time domain statistics and/or frequency domain statistics. 52.The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 51 wherein the sleep scorecomprises a total having a plurality of component values, each componentvalue determined with a function of a measured sleep factor and apredetermined normative value for the sleep factor.
 53. The apparatus ofclaim 52 wherein the function comprises a weighting variable varyingbetween 0 and 1 and wherein the weighting is multiplied by thepredetermined nonnative value.
 54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein thefunction of at least one sleep factor for determining a component valueis an increasing function of the measured sleep factor.
 55. Theapparatus of claim 54 wherein the at least one sleep factor is one oftotal sleep time, deep sleep time, REM sleep time and light sleep time.56. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the function of at least one sleepfactor for determining a component value is an initially increasing andsubsequently decreasing function of the measured sleep factor.
 57. Theapparatus of claim 56 wherein the at least one sleep factor is REM sleeptime.
 58. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the function of at least onesleep factor for determining a component value is a decreasing functionof the measured sleep factor.
 59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein theat least one sleep factor is one of sleep onset time and wake aftersleep onset time.
 60. The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 59wherein the display of the sleep score comprises displaying a sleepscore total.
 61. The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 60 wherein thedisplay of the sleep score comprises displaying a graphic pie chart, thegraphic pie chart divided about its periphery into segments, eachsegment size about the periphery being attributed to a predeterminednormative value for each sleep factor, each segment being filledradially in accordance with a function of a respective measured sleepfactor and the predetermined normative value for the respective sleepfactor.
 62. The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 61 wherein apredetermined normative value for total sleep time is 40, apredetermined normative value for deep sleep time is 20, a predeterminednormative value for REM sleep time is 20, a predetermined normativevalue for light sleep time is 5, a predetermined normative value forwake after sleep onset time is 10 and/or a predetermined normative valuefor sleep onset is
 5. 63. The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 62,wherein the processor is further configured to access detected ambientparameters including ambient light and or sound, to adjust settings ofthe apparatus during at least some operations of the apparatus, theadjusted settings comprising screen brightness and/or sound volume. 64.The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 63 wherein the processorcontrols a display of the mind recharge indicator, the mind rechargeindicator being based on REM sleep time.
 65. The apparatus of claim 64wherein the mind recharge indicator comprises a function of a REM sleepfactor and a predetermined normative value for the REM sleep factor. 66.The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the function of the REM sleep factorand a predetermined normative value for the sleep factor comprises anincreasing and decreasing function of REM sleep time.
 67. The apparatusof any one of claims 64 to 66 wherein the mind recharge indicator isdisplayed as a graphic indicator relating measured REM sleep time to anormative REM sleep time as a percentage, the graphic indicator havingan appearance of a segmented battery proportionally filled according tothe percentage.
 68. The apparatus of any one of claims 49 to 67 whereinthe processor controls a display of the body recharge indicator, thebody recharge indicator being based on deep sleep time.
 69. Theapparatus of claim 68 wherein the body recharge indicator comprises afunction of a deep sleep factor and a predetermined normative value forthe deep sleep factor.
 70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein thefunction of the deep sleep factor and a predetermined normative valuefor the deep sleep factor comprises an increasing function of deep sleeptime.
 71. The apparatus of any one of claims 68 to 70 wherein the bodyrecharge indicator is displayed as a graphic indicator relating measureddeep sleep time to predetermined normative deep sleep time as apercentage, the graphic indicator having an appearance of a segmentedbattery proportionally filled according to the percentage.
 72. A methodto promote sleep with a processor adapted to access measured datarepresenting user movement detected by a movement sensor comprising:processing the measured data and determining sleep factors with featuresderived from the measured data; generating one or more indicatorsincluding a sleep score indicator, mind recharge indicator and bodyrecharge indicator based on the determined sleep factors; andcontrolling a display of the one or more indicators.
 73. The method ofclaim 72 wherein the display includes the sleep score and wherein thesleep factors from which the sleep score is based include two or more oftotal sleep time, deep sleep time, REM sleep time and light sleep time,wake after sleep onset time and sleep onset time.
 74. The method of anyone of claims 72 to 73 wherein the features comprise time domainstatistics and frequency domain statistics.
 75. The method of any one ofclaims 72 to 74 wherein the sleep score comprises a total having aplurality of component values, each component value determined with afunction of a sleep factor and a predetermined normative value for thesleep factor.
 76. The method of claim 75 wherein the function comprisesa weighting variable varying between 0 and 1 and wherein the weightingis multiplied by the predetermined nonnative value.
 77. The method ofclaim 76 wherein the function of at least one sleep factor fordetermining a component value is an increasing function.
 78. The methodof claim 77 wherein the at least one sleep factor is one of total sleeptime, deep sleep time, REM sleep time and light sleep time.
 79. Themethod of claim 76 wherein the function of at least one sleep factor fordetermining a component value is an increasing and decreasing function.80. The method of claim 79 wherein the at least one sleep factor is REMsleep time.
 81. The method of claim 76 wherein the function of at leastone sleep factor for determining a component value is a decreasingfunction.
 82. The method of claim 81 wherein the at least one sleepfactor is one of sleep onset time and wake after sleep onset time. 83.The method of any one of claims 72 to 82 wherein displaying the sleepscore includes displaying a sleep score total.
 84. The method of any oneof claims 72 to 83 wherein displaying the sleep score comprisesdisplaying a graphic pie chart, the graphic pie chart divided about itsperiphery into segments, each segment size about the periphery beingattributed to a predetermined normative value for each sleep factor,each segment being filled radially in accordance with a function of eachsleep factor and the predetermined normative value for the sleep factor.85. The method of any one of claims 72 to 84 wherein a predeterminednormative value for total sleep time is 40, a predetermined normativevalue for deep sleep time is 20, a predetermined normative value for REMsleep time is 20, a predetermined normative value for light sleep timeis 5, a predetermined normative value for wake after sleep onset time is10 and/or a predetermined normative value for sleep onset is
 5. 86. Themethod of any one of claims 72 to 85 wherein the display includes themind recharge indicator, the mind recharge indicator being based onmeasured REM sleep time.
 87. The method of claim 86 wherein the mindrecharge indicator is determined as a function of a measured REM sleepfactor and a predetermined normative value for the REM sleep factor. 88.The method of claim 87 wherein the function of the REM sleep factor anda predetermined normative value for the sleep factor comprises aninitially increasing and subsequently decreasing function of themeasured the measured REM sleep time.
 89. The method of any one ofclaims 86 to 88 wherein the mind recharge indicator is a graphicindicator relating measured REM sleep time to a normative REM sleep timeas a percentage, the graphic indicator having an appearance of asegmented battery proportionally filled according to the percentage. 90.The method of any one of claims 72 to 89 wherein the display includesthe body recharge indicator, the body recharge indicator being based onmeasured deep sleep time.
 91. The method of claim 90 wherein the bodyrecharge indicator is determined as a function of a measured deep sleepfactor and a predetermined normative value for the deep sleep factor.92. The method of claim 91 wherein the function of the deep sleep factorand a predetermined normative value for the deep sleep factor comprisesan increasing function of deep sleep time.
 93. The method of any one ofclaims 90 to 92 wherein the body recharge indicator is a graphicindicator relating measured deep sleep time to predetermined normativedeep sleep time as a percentage, the graphic indicator having anappearance of a segmented battery proportionally filled according to thepercentage.
 94. An apparatus to promote sleep comprising one or moreprocessors configured to: access measured data representing usermovement detected by a movement sensor, process the measured data anddetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data,access detected environmental condition data from one or moreenvironmental sensors; and generate and display a sleep hypnogram, thesleep hypnogram plotting sleep stages over time for a sleep session. 95.The apparatus of claim 94 wherein the sleep hypnogram further includesat least one detected environmental condition plotted in temporalassociation with a sleep stage or a transition between sleep stages. 96.The apparatus of any one of claims 94 to 95 wherein the detectedenvironmental condition comprises any one of a light event, a soundevent and a temperature event.
 97. The apparatus of any one of claims 94to 96 wherein the detected environmental condition comprises an eventthat corresponds to a detected sleep disturbance.
 98. The apparatus ofclaim 97 wherein the detected sleep disturbance comprises a wake aftersleep onset period.
 99. The apparatus of any one of claims 94 to 98further comprising the movement sensor and/or the one or moreenvironmental sensors, the sensor(s) coupled with the processor totransfer data representing detected signals from the sensor(s) to theprocessor.
 100. A method of a processor for promoting sleep comprising:receiving, from a movement sensor, measured data representing usermovement, processing the measured data and determining sleep factorswith features derived from the measured data, accessing detectedenvironmental condition data from one or more environmental sensors,generating a sleep hypnogram, the sleep hypnogram plotting sleep stagesover time for a sleep session; and controlling a display to present thesleep hypnogram.
 101. The method of claim 100 further comprisingpresenting information of the detected environmental condition intemporal association with a sleep stage in the hypnogram.
 102. Themethod of any one of claims 100 to 101 wherein the detectedenvironmental condition comprises any one of a light event, a soundevent and a temperature event.
 103. The method of any one of claims 100to 102 wherein the detected environmental condition comprises an eventthat corresponds to a detected sleep disturbance.
 104. The method ofclaim 103 wherein the detected sleep disturbance comprises a wake aftersleep onset period.
 105. The method of any one of claims 100 to 104further comprising detecting the user movement with the movement sensorand/or detecting the environmental condition with the one or moreenvironmental sensors.
 106. An apparatus to promote sleep comprising: adisplay; a processor coupled with the display, the processor configuredto access measured data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor, the processor configured to process the measured dataand determine sleep factors with features derived from the measureddata, the processor further configured to prompt for input of userparameters comprising one or more of daily caffeine consumption, dailyalcohol consumption, daily stress level and daily exercise amount; andthe processor further configured to display a temporal correlation for aplurality of sleep sessions between one or more determined sleep factorsand one or more of the input user parameters.
 107. The apparatus ofclaim 106 wherein the processor is configured to prompt the user toselect the one or more sleep factors and the one or more input userparameters for the display.
 108. The apparatus of any one of claims 106to 107 wherein one of the determined sleep factor comprises total sleeptime for a sleep session.
 109. The apparatus of any one of claims 106 to107 wherein the processor is further configured to display a temporalcorrelation for a plurality of sleep sessions between one or moredetermined sleep factors and environmental data representing one or moreambient sleep conditions including ambient sound level, ambient lightlevel, ambient temperature level, ambient air pollution level andweather conditions at a location of the user.
 110. The apparatus ofclaim 109 wherein the processor is further configured to access weatherdata based on detecting a location of the apparatus.
 111. The apparatusof any one of claims 106 to 110, the apparatus further configured togenerate the temporal correlation for a plurality of sleep sessionsbetween one or more determined sleep factors, one or more input userparameters and one or more ambient sleep conditions, including ambientsound level, ambient light level, ambient temperature level, ambient airpollution level and weather conditions at a location of the user.
 112. Amethod of a processor to promote sleep comprising: with a processoraccessing measured data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor, with the processor processing the measured data todetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data,with the processor prompting for input of user parameters comprising oneor more of daily caffeine consumption, daily alcohol consumption, dailystress level and daily exercise amount; and with the processordisplaying on a display a temporal correlation for a plurality of sleepsessions between one or more determined sleep factors and one or more ofthe input user parameters.
 113. The method of claim 112 furthercomprising with the processor prompting the user to select the one ormore input user parameters for displaying of the temporal correlation.114. The method of any one of claims 112 to 113 wherein the determinedsleep factor comprises total sleep time for a sleep session.
 115. Themethod of any one of claims 112 to 114, further comprising generatingthe temporal correlation for a plurality of sleep sessions between oneor more determined sleep factors, one or more of the input userparameters and one or more ambient sleep conditions including ambientsound level, ambient light level, ambient temperature level, ambient airpollution level and weather conditions at a location of the user.
 116. Asystem to promote sleep comprising: one or more processors configuredto: access measured sleep data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor, and to process the measured sleep data to determinesleep factors with features derived from the measured data; accessmeasured environmental data representing ambient sleep conditions;prompt for input of user lifestyle data on a sleep session-by-sleepsession basis; and evaluate the sleep factors to detect a sleep issue; atransmitter configured to transmit at least some of at least one of: themeasured sleep data, data of the determined sleep factors, the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data, so as tofacilitate evaluation of the transmitted data and selection of a likelycause, or a most likely cause, of the detected sleep issue; and areceiver configured to receive one or more advice messages associatedwith the selected cause, the advice messages including advice contentfor promoting sleep; and a display to display the received one or moreadvice messages to a user.
 117. The system of claim 116 wherein one ormore advice messages comprise a series of advice messages over timeconsecutively generated upon continued detection of the sleep issue.118. The system of any one of claims 116 to 117 wherein the measuredenvironmental data comprises one or more of detected light, detectedsound and detected temperature.
 119. The system of any one of claims 116to 118 wherein the sleep factors comprise one or more of sleep latency,REM sleep time, deep sleep time and number of sleep interruptions. 120.The system of any one of claims 116 to 119 wherein a detected sleepissue comprises any one or more of a REM time too short condition, a REMtime too long condition, a REM time fragmented condition, a Deep sleeptime too short condition, a Deep sleep time too long condition and aDeep sleep time fragmented condition.
 121. The system of any one ofclaims 116 to 120 wherein a detected sleep issue is that a user's sleepcomprises too many interruptions.
 122. The system of any one of claims116 to 121 wherein the evaluation of the measured environmental data andthe input user lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause ofthe detected sleep issue comprises calculating probabilities.
 123. Thesystem of any one of claims 116 to 122 wherein generation of an advicemessage comprises triggering a push notification.
 124. The system of anyone of claims 116 to 122 wherein the selected most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue, associated with the received advice, was furtherbased on an evaluation of historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.125. The system of any one of claims 116 to 124 wherein the one or moreprocessors and the receiver are configured to receive data indicative ofa result of a triage process, the triage process comprising aprobability determination based on the detected sleep issue to determinea risky sleep condition, the probability determination comprisingcalculating a probability of one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, arisk of snoring and a risk of chronic insomnia.
 126. The system of claim125 wherein the one or more processors and the receiver are furtherconfigured to receive a generated report with information concerning therisky sleep condition to facilitate access to a sleep health specialist.127. The system of any one of claims 116 to 126 wherein the one or moreprocessors and the transmitter are further configured to transmit dataindicative of a user's location and receive one or more advice messagesbased on the transmitted location data.
 128. The system of claim 127wherein received advice message comprises jet lag advice.
 129. A methodfor an electronic system to promote sleep with one or more processors,the method comprising: accessing measured data representing usermovement detected by a movement sensor; processing the measured data todetermine sleep factors with features derived from the measured data;accessing measured environmental data representing ambient sleepconditions; prompting for input of user lifestyle data on a sleepsession-by-sleep session basis; evaluating the sleep factors to detect asleep issue; transmitting to a remote location at least some of at leastone of the following types of data: the measured data, data of thedetermined sleep factors, the measured environmental data and the inputuser lifestyle data, to facilitate evaluation of the transmitted dataand selection of a likely cause, or a most likely cause, of the detectedsleep issue; and receiving one or more generated electronic advicemessages associated with the selected cause, the advice messagesincluding advice content for promoting sleep; and displaying thereceived electronic advice messages.
 130. The method of claim 129wherein the environmental data comprises one or more of detected light,detected sound and detected temperature.
 131. The method of any one ofclaims 129 to 130 wherein the sleep factors comprise one or more of: REMsleep time; deep sleep time; too many sleep interruptions; a REM timetoo short condition; a REM time too short or too long condition; a REMtime fragmented condition; a Deep sleep time too short condition; a deepsleep time too long condition; and a deep sleep time fragmentedcondition.
 132. The method of any one of claims 129 to 131 wherein theevaluation of the measured environmental data and the input userlifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of the detectedsleep issue further includes evaluating historical sleep data to detecta sleep trend.
 133. The method of any one of claims 129 to 132 furthercomprising executing a triage process, the triage process comprisingdetermining probabilities based on the detected sleep issue to determinea risky sleep condition, the determined probabilities comprising aprobability of one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoringand a risk of chronic insomnia.
 134. The method of claim 133 furthercomprising receiving a report indicative of a result of a triageprocess, the report with information concerning the risky sleepcondition to facilitate access to a sleep health specialist.
 135. Themethod of any one of claims 129 to 134 wherein at least one of the oneor more advice messages is based on a detected location or on a detectedchange in location.
 136. The method of claim 135 wherein a generatedadvice message comprises jet lag advice.
 137. A method for an electronicsystem to promote sleep, the method comprising: accessing, with one ormore processors, measured data representing user movement detected by amovement sensor, and/or sleep factors with features derived from themeasured data; accessing, with one or more processors, measuredenvironmental data representing ambient sleep conditions; accessing,with one or more processors, input user lifestyle data obtained on asleep session-by-sleep session basis; evaluating, with one or moreprocessors, the sleep factors to detect a sleep issue; evaluating, withone or more processors, the measured environmental data and the inputuser lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of the detectedsleep issue; and generating one or more electronic advice messagesassociated with the selected one, the advice messages including advicecontent for promoting sleep.
 138. The method of claim 137 whereingenerating one or more advice messages comprises generating a series ofadvice messages over time consecutively upon continued detection of thesleep issue.
 139. The method of any one of claims 137 to 138 wherein theenvironmental data comprises one or more of detected light, detectedsound and detected temperature and wherein the sleep factors comprisesone or more of sleep latency, REM sleep time, deep sleep time and numberof sleep interruptions.
 140. The method of any one of claims 137 to 139wherein a detected sleep issue comprises any one or more of: a REM timetoo short condition; a REM time too long condition; a REM timefragmented condition; a Deep sleep time too short condition; a deepsleep time too long condition; deep sleep time fragmented condition; andtoo many sleep interruptions.
 141. The method of any one of claims 137to 140 wherein the evaluating of the measured environmental data and theinput user lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue comprises calculating probabilities.
 142. Themethod of any one of claims 137 to 141 the generating of the advicemessage comprises triggering a push notification.
 143. The method of anyone of claims 137 to 142 wherein method is executed by processes of oneor more networked servers.
 144. The method of any one of claims 137 to143 wherein the evaluating of the measured environmental data and theinput user lifestyle data to select one as a most likely cause of thedetected sleep issue further includes evaluating historical sleep datato detect a sleep trend.
 145. The method of any one of claims 137 to 144further comprising executing a triage process, the triage processcomprising determining probabilities based on the detected sleep issueto determine a risky sleep condition, the determined probabilitiescomprising a probability of one or more of a risk of sleep apnea, a riskof snoring and a risk of chronic insomnia.
 146. The method of claim 145wherein the triage process triggers generation of a report withinformation concerning the risky sleep condition to facilitate access toa sleep health specialist.
 147. The method of any one of claims 145 to146 wherein the triage process triggers generation of a report based ona comparison of a threshold with a calculated probability value. 148.The method of any one of claims 137 to 147 further comprising generatingone or more of the advice messages based on a detected location ordetected change in location.
 149. The method of claim 148 wherein agenerated advice message comprises jet lag advice.
 150. An electronicsystem to promote sleep comprising one or more processors configured to:access measured sleep data, representing user movement detected by amovement sensor, and/or sleep factors with features derived from themeasured sleep data; access measured environmental data representingambient sleep conditions; access input user lifestyle data collected ona sleep session-by-sleep session basis; evaluate the sleep factors todetect a sleep issue; evaluate one or more of: the measured sleep data,data of the sleep factors, the measured environmental data and the inputuser lifestyle data, to select a likely cause, or a most likely cause,of the detected sleep issue; and generate one or more advice messagesassociated with the selected cause, the advice messages including advicecontent for promoting sleep; and transmit the generated one or moreadvice messages to a display device associated with the user.
 151. Thesystem of claim 150 wherein the generated one or more advice messagescomprise a series of advice messages over time consecutively generatedupon continued detection of the sleep issue.
 152. The system of any oneof claims 150 to 151 wherein an evaluation of the measured environmentaldata and the input user lifestyle data to select one as a most likelycause of the detected sleep issue comprises calculating probabilities.153. The system of any one of claims 150 to 152 wherein generation of anadvice message comprises triggering a push notification.
 154. The systemof any one of claims 150 to 153 wherein an evaluation of the measuredenvironmental data and the input user lifestyle data to select one as amost likely cause of the detected sleep issue further includes anevaluation of historical sleep data to detect a sleep trend.
 155. Thesystem of any one of claims 150 to 154, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to execute a triage process, the triageprocess comprising a probability determination based on the detectedsleep issue to determine a risky sleep condition, the probabilitydetermination comprising calculating a probability of one or more of arisk of sleep apnea, a risk of snoring and a risk of chronic insomnia.156. The system of claim 155 wherein the triage process triggersgeneration of a report with information concerning the risky sleepcondition to facilitate access to a sleep health specialist.
 157. Thesystem of any one of claims 155 to 156 wherein the triage processtriggers generation of a report based on a comparison of a thresholdwith a calculated probability value.
 158. The system of any one ofclaims 150 to 157 wherein at least one of the generated one or moreadvice messages is based on a detected location and/or change inlocation.
 159. The system of claim 158, wherein the at least onegenerated advice message comprises jet lag advice.
 160. A system topromote sleep comprising a processor configured to: receive a measuredsleep data associated with user movement data during a sleep session;process the movement data to determine sleep factors with featuresderived from the movement data; measure ambient sleep conditions withone or more environmental sensors; create a sleep record for the sleepsession with sleep factors and the ambient sleep conditions; display thesleep factors on a display coupled to the processor; and transmit thesleep record to a server.
 161. The system of claim 160 wherein processorcontrol instructions of the processor further control the processor of adevice in execution of an autostart process to: evaluate the movementdata transmitted from a sensor module to determine presence or absenceof a user based on a detection quality of sensed respiration; and ondetection of presence of the user, initiating a sleep sessioninformation gathering process.
 162. The system of any one of claims 160to 161 wherein processor control instructions of the processor furthercontrol the processor of a device in execution of an autostop processto: evaluate the movement data transmitted from a sensor module todetermine presence or absence of a user; and on detection of a sustainedabsence of a user, terminate a sleep session information gatheringprocess.
 163. The system of claim 162 wherein the detection of thesustained absence of the user determines the sustained absence inrelation to an expected wake up time.
 164. The system of any one ofclaims 160 to 163 wherein a sensor module further comprises a receiverto receive control commands and wherein processor control instructionsfurther control the processor to transmit a terminate command to thereceiver of the sensor module.
 165. The system of any one of claims 160to 164 wherein processor control instructions are configured to controlthe processor of a device to detect environmental parameters and/orlocation of the device, and based on at least a detected environmentalparameter or the location of the device, adjust a parameter of a sleepsession information gathering process.
 166. The system of claim 165wherein the environmental parameter comprises a light setting and/orsound setting for the device.
 167. The system of claim 165 wherein theparameter is adjusted upon determination of a local time at a detectedlocation.
 168. The system of any one of claims 160 to 167 whereinprocessor control instructions are configured to control the processorof a device to generate a user interface for selectively controllingactivation and deactivation of the one or more environmental sensors.169. The system of any one of claims 160 to 168 wherein processorcontrol instructions are configured to control the processor of a deviceto generate an alarm to remind a user to go to sleep.
 170. The system ofclaim 169 wherein processor control instructions are configured tocontrol the processor of a device to generate the alarm upon detectionof a time to sleep.
 171. The system of claim 170 wherein the time tosleep is a calculated optimal nap time.
 172. The system of any one ofclaims 160 to 171 wherein the one or more environmental sensorscomprises a humidity sensor, a sound sensor, a light sensor and an airquality sensor.
 173. A method for executing, with a processor, a sleepsession information gathering process in a device, the methodcomprising: receiving movement data transmitted from a sensor module;processing the movement data to determine sleep factors with featuresderived from the movement data; measuring ambient sleep conditions withone or more environmental sensors; creating a sleep record for a sleepsession with sleep factors and the ambient sleep conditions; displayingthe sleep factors on a display coupled to the processor; andtransmitting the sleep record to a server.
 174. The method of claim 173further comprising with the processor executing an autostart process by:evaluating the movement data transmitted from the sensor module todetermine presence or absence of a user based on a detection quality ofsensed respiration; and on detection of presence of the user, initiatinga sleep session information gathering process.
 175. The method of anyone of claims 173 to 174 further comprising with the processor,executing an autostop process by: evaluating the movement datatransmitted from the sensor module to determine presence or absence of auser; and on detection of a sustained absence of a user, terminating asleep session information gathering process.
 176. The method of claim175 wherein the detection of the sustained absence of the user comprisesdetermining the sustained absence in relation to an expected wake uptime.
 177. The method of any one of claims 175 to 176 wherein the sensormodule further comprises a receiver to receive control commands, themethod further comprising transmitting a terminate command to thereceiver of the sensor module.
 178. The method of any one of claims 173to 177 further comprising detecting environmental parameters and/or alocation of the device, and based on at least a detected parameter or adetected location of the device, adjusting a parameter of the sleepsession information gathering process.
 179. The method of claim 178wherein the parameter comprises a light setting and/or sound setting forthe device.
 180. The method of claim 179 wherein the parameter isadjusted upon determination of a local time at a detected location. 181.The method of any one of claims 173 to 180 further comprising generatinga user interface for selectively controlling activation and deactivationof the one or more environmental sensors.
 182. The method of any one ofclaims 173 to 181 further comprising generating an alarm to remind auser to go to sleep.
 183. The method of claim 182 wherein the alarm isgenerated by detecting a time to sleep.
 184. The method of claim 183wherein the time to sleep is detected when a clock time satisfies acalculated optimal take a nap time and wherein the method furtherincludes calculating the optimal take a nap time, the optimal take a naptime based on processing logged wake up times.
 185. The method of anyone of claims 173 to 184 wherein the one or more environmental sensorscomprises a humidity sensor, a sound sensor, a light sensor and an airquality sensor.